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During worldwide pandemics, police investigations must continue, and victims, witnesses and suspects of crime must still be interviewed. However, social distancing means that investigators are sometimes unable to conduct interviews and third-party professionals (e.g., legal professionals) are unable to communicate with clients in a traditional format. Remote communication is one way currently being conducted across the UK – but it is not standardised and the current research base to prove its efficacy is extremely limited.

Fair Trials, is part of a new research project that will look at whether police interviews can be fair and effective when carried out by video or phone rather than in person. In particular, the project will examine the impact of people receiving legal assistance in police custody via phone and videolink rather than in person.

De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)'s Professor Dave Walsh is part of the £320,000 programme, which is led by academics from Northumbria University, and involves Sunderland University, and global criminal justice watchdog Fair Trials, as well as national and international police organisations.