Research into the experience of bereaved families

As part of its five-year victim and witness strategy the Department of Justice has undertaken research into the experience of families bereaved through murder, manslaughter and culpable road death with the criminal justice process. The research involved 27 interviews (17 relating to murder or manslaughter and 10 relating to road traffic incidents). The interview transcripts were analysed by the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge, who prepared two summary reports. Having considered the research findings the Department, in conjunction with our criminal justice system and voluntary sector partners, has prepared a response paper and action plan. These set out the Department’s position on the issues raised during the research and the actions to be taken to improve the services provided to families bereaved through murder, manslaughter or culpable road death.