Navigating the Criminal Justice System: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence on the Experiences of Homicide Co-victims

Hassanat Mojirola Lawal; Liz Shaw; Noreen Orr; Simon Briscoe; G J Melendez-Torres; Ruth Garside; Jo Thompson Coon

doi:10.1891/VV-2023-0125

Navigating the Criminal Justice System: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence on the Experiences of Homicide Co-victims

Violence Vict. 2024 Sep 9:VV-2023-0125.R1. doi: 10.1891/VV-2023-0125. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Hassanat Mojirola Lawal¹, Liz Shaw², Noreen Orr², Simon Briscoe², G J Melendez-Torres², Ruth Garside², Jo Thompson Coon²

Affiliations

¹ Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Department of Health and Community Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK h.lawal@exeter.ac.uk.
² Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility, Department of Health and Community Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK.

PMID: 39251262
DOI: 10.1891/VV-2023-0125

Abstract

Homicide is considered a crime against the state rather than the covictims, which impacts on criminal justice system (CJS) processes and can lead to secondary victimization. This review explores the experience of co-victims (i.e., family members) engaging with the CJS. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria and were identified through searching six bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, HMIC, CINAHL, ASSIA, IBSS, and SSCI) and supplementary searches. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal. Thematic synthesis resulted in three themes: (a) information and meaningful inclusion, (b) who is the justice system for?, and (c) relating to victims as people. These themes highlight concerns regarding the marginalization of co-victims within the CJS and suggest ways to enhance processes to avoid further marginalizing and traumatizing co-victims.

Keywords: courts and criminal justice systems/policing; homicide; qualitative research; victimization; violence.