https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7733 Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:08:58 GMT 2026-04-25T11:08:58Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7635 Title: Rhetorical courtroom discourse and courtroom technology : a lawyer's perspective Abstract: This dissertation will venture into the field of criminology with a legalistic perspective. Hence, the researcher will attempt to analyze segments of the criminal courtroom, mainly the language used and the importance of rhetorical discourse whilst also evaluating the effects of technological advancements in the courtroom. A qualitative approach was used in obtaining all necessary information whilst grounded theory and coding where adopted to analyze data and consequent findings. Accordingly, manipulation, issues of gender, education, power, deceit and control will be critically assessed in the attempt to understand the true mechanism of a courtroom from a lawyer's perspective. Ultimately, questions will be raised on the type of audience that a lawyer is facing, the language used by legal professionals, technology and its manipulation whilst also trying to affirm a common category by which the art of persuasion, or rhetorical courtroom discourse, and manipulation of technology are possible. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7635 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7634 Title: Police use of force : the impact of less-lethal weapons and implications for policing in Malta Abstract: In doing this research, the author conducted the first ever study about taser use in Malta. This was done by looking up studies conducted in foreign countries throughout the world and relating them to cases reported by the Maltese media. The studies involved revolved around three major issues surrounding taser use; technology used, the safety of taser and situations in which one uses a taser and the training involved to use a taser. It was done in order to see if the behavior of the Maltese authorities, as well as the policies used by the Malta Police Force conformed with policies found in countries which make use of tasers. From the resulting conclusions, one can see that the policies on taser use are similar to other countries, and police officers using the taser adhere to procedures issued by the Police Force itself. This study is important because tasers have only been recently introduced and no studies have been made to see how taser is used in Malta. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7634 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7633 Title: Prevention is better than cure : is CCTV effective in enhancing crime prevention in Valletta Abstract: In the last three decades, 'Closed Circuit Television' (CCTV) surveillance has become a prevalent crime prevention tool (Fletcher, 2011). The simplest form of a CCTV system consists of a video camera connected by a coaxial cable, fibre-optic cable or through wireless links to a central television monitor (Norris, 2009; Carli, 2008; Gill & Spriggs, 2005). This research study analyses the use of CCTV within the 'Commercial Zone of Valletta' (CZV). Valletta was selected as the location to carry out this study because it is a hub of commercial activity. Formosa (2013) and Spiteri (2012) stipulate that criminal behaviour is prevalent within the CZV. Spiteri's (2012) study explores crime prevention in Valletta, and my study intends to extend Spiteri's study by focusing solely on the use and effectiveness of CCTV surveillance. This qualitative study was carried out through semi-structured interviews with shop owners and business managers as to collect in-depth data on the use and perceived effectiveness of CCTV surveillance. The data collected illustrates that business owners and managers perceive CCTV surveillance as beneficial because it produces more control over their establishment. Participants considered that CCTV surveillance needs to be accompanied by other crime prevention measures, such as: electronic article surveillance, bulletproof glass, alarm systems, security guards and police foot patrol. In addition, this study explores the relationship between CCTV surveillance and privacy issues. The study concludes by giving a set of recommendations to shop owners and business managers that may be implemented as part of their security system to improve the way they curb crime and anti-social behaviour. Also, a set of recommendations is given for further Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7633 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7632 Title: The intergenerational transfer of child abuse Abstract: The consequences of child abuse on the body and mind of the victims were examined closely through analysis of previous studies and interviews of professionals of abused children. This study attempted to understand the consequences of this trauma in relation to the reproduction of the abusive behaviour later in life, in order to identify the reason why some abused children become perpetrators. The respondents to this study were asked to explain through their experience the implications of the abuse for the victims' lives, and the factors that played a role in reproducing the abuse. The themes identified were sociological, psychological, biological and psychiatric; those fields of studies are linked together in explaining the intergenerational transfer of child abuse. Moreover, the means for prevention were also analysed. Results shown that through incidental learning, children reproduce their parent's behaviour by accrediting it as acceptable. Emotional attachment is turned into a defence mechanism when the children are abused, and all future emotional encounters are modelled by the earliest one, leaving the growing adult to become impermeable to other people's feelings. A hereditary factor also plays a role in the intergenerational transfer, for the child shares some features with its aggressor. The brain encounters some changes after a heavy trauma in childhood, leading to a disrupted development. Eventually, psychopathologies both from the side of the aggressor and developed by the victim could be the cause for the intergenerational transfer. Those results contributed to understand the mind of abused children, in order to prevent them from becoming aggressors. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7632 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z