Improving Evidence Collection Through Police-Prosecutor Coordination in Baltimore, 1984-1985

The purpose of this data collection was to investigate the
effects of changes in police evidence procedures and the effects of
providing feedback to officers on felony case charge reductions or
dismissals due to evidentiary problems. The data were designed to
permit an experimental assessment of the effectiveness of two police
evidence collection programs implemented on April 1, 1985. One of these
was an investigative and post-arrest procedural guide. The other was an
individualized feedback report prepared by prosecutors for police
officers. The officer file includes information on each officer's sex
and race, length of police service, and assignment changes during the
study period. Data on the offender and the case files include time of
arrest, information on arresting officer, original investigating
officer and principal investigating officer, offense and victim
characteristics, arrestee characteristics, available evidence, case
processing information, and arrestee's criminal history.