Page 58 - RESEARCH HANDBOOK FOR LL.M. AND PHD

To study the profile of witnesses in the chosen states
To identify the causes for the reluctance of people being witness to a criminal incident in the

context of the characteristics of the witness.
To survey the perceptions and attitudes of witnesses on certain matters relevant to this
study.

Hypotheses:
The following hypotheses would be examined in this study:

1. The chief factors in the reluctance of witness are those relating to fear of criminal assault,
harassment by the police and court and anticipatory loss of degradation of social status.
2. The persons from lower medium income groups and average education category are more
likely to be the witnesses.

3. The hardships of witnesses are normally associated with police behaviour.
4. The witnesses experience considerable problems in the court.

5. Loss of faith in the criminal justice agencies is a factor discouraging the witnesses to come
forward.
6. Witnesses do face pressures from influential sectors affecting their testimony.
7. The chances of manipulation and resulted hostility of witnesses are often seen in cases where

the rich and powerful elements are involved.
Research Design:

In accordance with the objectives of the present study, doctrinal and non-doctrinal research
designs have been adopted. The doctrinal design has been used to study the jurisprudential
development in the areas of hostility, protection and problems of witnesses. This has been done

primarily with the help of case laws and leading judgments of various courts. The reports of
committees and commissions have been scanned to sifting the issues relating to the research
problem.

The non-doctrinal method or empirical approach is the prime highlight of this study. In this
pursuit, a sample survey has been carried out to collect the required data by using some
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structured methods of data collection.