• 2) In the text the writer uses the following phrase: “The most valuable evidence may be worthless if inefficiently handled.” What does it mean?

• 3) Indicate the differences between the American, British and European practice of applying for a detective.

• 4) What subjects are included in competitive examinations for detectives to get their position?

7.16 Cross-examination

• 1) Read the text and translate it into Russian.

Cross-examination of witnesses is both art and a science. The science may be acquired by study of its basic principles, but the art is acquired by the combination of natural talent and long practice. Many outstanding legal scholars never acquire it, whereas many mediocre students of the law become masters of the art.

Complete success requires a better-than-average understanding of psychology. The examiner must be able to look into the mind and heart of the witness to understand his or her motives, prejudices, interests and character. Good cross-examination never proceeds without a definite purpose and objective on the part of the examiner. Yet, this rule is more observed in the breach than in the judicial practice. A certain amount of showmanship is usually employed by the best examiners.

A jury trial is really drama being written and produced simultaneously. The opinions of jury members and the testimony of witnesses are affected by the moving sweep of emotional forces set in motion by the living drama of which they are a part. The perceptions are sharpened by the clash and conflict, and understanding is often more acute when the intellect is aided by emotion and feeling.

• 2) In the text the writer uses the following phrase: “a jury trial is really drama being written and produced simultaneously.” What does the writer mean?

• 3) Give synonyms to the following words and word combinations: to acquire; to affect; basic; complete; to look into; an opinion; outstanding; to proceed; purpose; simultaneously.

7.17 Bill Napolitano – a New York City Cop

• 1) Read the text and say what has changed in crime.

Bill Napolitano’s police uniform is more than just a shirt, slacks, and a cap. He also has to carry a radio, two pairs of handcuffs, a flashlight, a set of keys, a notebook, a heavy stick, and a 38 Smith and Wesson gun. You might think that the gun is the most important item. But Bill has been a New York City cop for three years, and he hasn’t used it once. In fact, it’s his notebook that he needs most often.

“There’s a lot of paperwork involved in what we do,” says Bill. We have to write reports on everything – complaints, parking offenses, burglaries – it’s very boring.”

Sometimes, though, Bill’s job is anything but boring. A few weeks ago, a New York police officer was shot and killed by a drug addict. During the funeral, a woman called the police station. She said that she had seen a man on the balcony of her apartment trying to force his way in.

“My partner, Tom, was at the funeral,” re­members Bill, “so I drove the sergeant there. We went up on the roof and searched it. There are small areas up there on the rooftops, fenced in, where people have barbecues and so on. The sergeant saw the guy, but he ran away. So we chased him, and he jumped off the side of the building onto a terrace and swung himself down onto the floor below. We got him on the third floor, and he tried to run but we stopped him. I looked in his jacket and found a gun. He looked just like the guy who murdered the police officer. My heart was going fast, I can tell you! Later, we found out he wasn’t the murderer, but he had a long record of robbery and violence.”

Bill has seen a change in crime since he became a cop. New, dangerous drugs have spread like wildfire through the city, and addicts rob and steal to get the money to pay for them.

Most calls to the police station, though, are the same as they have always been. People hear screams from a family fight going on in the next apartment, and they call the cops.

“You have to go in and settle things fast,” says Bill. “Sometimes you go to a place, and the people don’t have much money, and maybe the father’s out of work, and he’s drinking, or on drugs, or it might be the mother. And it’s terrible because of the children. The children have nowhere to go. They don’t know where to go.”