Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Forensic Pathologists | 20110228 | In this new series of The Generation Gap, two people from different generations discuss how our approach to dealing with crime has changed. The two people are linked in some way - either they both do the same job in different eras, or they are two generations of the same family working in the same profession. The series sheds light on changes of society over the last 30 - 50 years. Over the course of the week we follow changes in the process of criminal investigation and punishment from the crime scene to prison. We hear how forensic pathologists unpick the evidence at the crime scene and autopsy room, how a suspect is dealt with at the police station, how support for victims has changed, the differences in the role of magistrates as well as how criminals are treated in prison. Two forensic pathologists highlight the scientific advances in evidence gathering at the crime scene and autopsy from DNA to the study of blood splatter. Pathologist Basil Purdue started work in the field 30 years ago and compares notes with Stuart Hamilton who has recently joined the elite band of less than 40 Home Office forensic pathologists called out to suspicious deaths throughout the country. How has their role at the crime scene changed? And how much better is forensic science now in providing evidence for a case or ruling out murder or manslaughter? Reporter: Sara Parker Producer: Laura Parfitt A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Two forensic pathologists compare notes on the changes scientific advances have brought. People from different generations discuss how approaches in a certain field have changed |
| 02 | Police Custody Officers | 20110301 | Custody sergeants Jon Avetoomyan and John Metcalkfe (retired) working on the front line in Gwent discuss the differences in how they deal with a suspect coming into police custody. No longer is the first contact the sergeant in a small police station with one or two cells, but in the computerised improved facilities of a modern centralised custody unit holding suspects from all over the area - with the option of an interpreter to translate from Welsh to English as well as other languages to meet the needs of present day diverse communities. Reporter: Sara Parker Producer: Laura Parfitt A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Two police sergeants discuss how they deal with a suspect coming into police custody. People from different generations discuss how approaches in a certain field have changed |
| 03 | Women's Refuge Workers | 20110302 | The way we deal with the victims of crime has completely changed over the years. In this programme we hear from refuge CEO Sandra Horley and Independent Domestic Violence Advocate Julia who compare how victims of domestic abuse are treated - not only reflecting changes in legislation but the attitudes of both the police and society. When Sandra Horley began work in the 1970s, women turned up at the refuge, terrified and without hope of any help from police or courts. She compares her experience with a Julia who supports women and helps them take their case to court. Reporter: Sara Parker Producer: Laura Parfitt A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Two women compare how the treatment of victims of domestic abuse has changed over time. People from different generations discuss how approaches in a certain field have changed |
| 04 | Magistrates | 20110303 | When at 38, Anne Fuller wanted to be a magistrate in the 1970s, she was told she was too young. Then magistrates were often middle-aged and middle-class. The women had to wear a hat and gloves. Two years later she applied again and was accepted. Now magistrates can be as young as 18 and diversity is encouraged. David Singh was only 27 when he joined the bench at Wimbledon. There have also been many changes in legislation from traffic offences to the Children Act and Human Right's Act and more recently a move to virtual courts with video links to prisoners in jail and witness video evidence. Reporter: Sara Parker Producer: Laura Parfitt A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Two magistrates highlight the many changes in legislation and the move to virtual courts. People from different generations discuss how approaches in a certain field have changed |
| 05 | Prisoners | 20110304 | Ex-offenders Tony and Patrick were both prisoners in Liverpool's Walton jail. Both had been in and out of trouble since their teenage years with a string of offences including robbery and in Tony's case drug-dealing. Patrick is in his 50s and Tony is in his 30s and they had very different experiences of prison life. Tony was urged to improve his skills and gained qualifications in painting and decorating whilst Patrick's only experience of 'education' was making fluffy toys. These days there are complaints in the press that prisoners have TVs and computers in their cells. In Patrick's day, the complaints were about roast potatoes on Christmas day. We hear how the emphasis is more on rehabilitation than punishment these days. Reporter: Sara Parker Producer: Laura Parfitt A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Ex-offenders Tony and Patrick compare their very different experiences of prison life. People from different generations discuss how approaches in a certain field have changed |