Additions, Omissions, and Transformations in Institutional ‘Retellings’ of Domestic Violence

Abstract

In this paper we examine how UK police oocers investigating domestic violence (DV) make a formal written case to Crown Prosecutors. Using rarely accessed 'management guidance' reports (MG3 forms) we analyse how police of-cers' written contributions appeal to relevance and how they can 'nudge' prosecutors towards particular methods of case disposal, speciically, the 'Simple Cau-tion'. We propose that linguistic strategies can reduce the likelihood of convictions, and we raise serious concerns about the impact of police oocers' institutional 'retellings' in the pursuit of justice.