Outcomes

We assess each case to identify whether any investigative opportunities were missed originally, or if new developments have resulted in a fresh chance to progress the enquiry.

This is probably the most difficult question to answer. It is important to recognise from the outset that this is a policing initiative. It is not a part of any political or ‘truth and reconciliation’ process.

The work involves assessing each case to identify whether any investigative opportunities were missed originally, or if new developments have resulted in a fresh chance to progress the enquiry. This could result from any source, such as new forensic processes (e.g. DNA) or new witnesses being identified.

Where cases can be taken forward, work is conducted to current police and judicial standards. The intention is to prepare files for submission to the Public Prosecutions Service. If evidential standards can be satisfied, prosecutions will follow.

In other cases, no further development may be possible. In that event staff from the team meet with families to explain the situation and address as far as possible questions and issues that remain outstanding. The governing principle is giving them as much information as possible, subject to legal guidelines. We seek to bring a measure of ‘closure’ to families.

‘Closure’, of course, means different things to different people. For some nothing short of seeing convictions in a court of law will be acceptable. Others have indicated a wish just to be told details of what happened, as far as can be ascertained, and what investigation has taken place. Some people have no wish for the past to be re-visited at all. This highlights again the importance of our relationship with families throughout the process.