After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Describe the hierarchical arrangement of the courts within the criminal justice system and the relationship between them.
• List the general categories of criminal offence and understand how these relate to the trial destination of each category.
• Distinguish between the role of the jury and that of the judge in Crown Court trials.
• Understand how the adversarial system of justice works and the procedure for trials held in the criminal courts.
• Appreciate the importance of the forensic science report prepared for use in court.
• Outline the role of the forensic scientist instructed to appear in court as an expert witness.
• Recognise that the interpretation of evidence by the expert witness is likely to be the most significant area of challenge during cross-examination by the opposing side.