An outline of the issues of personal background surveys in the light of the Polish criminal law system and criminology

Abstract

The concept of personal background surveys can be considered on at least four levels. The first - colloquial, can be defined as a survey aimed at determining the characteristics of the offender. The second - criminological, can be defined as a survey aimed at determining the genesis of a crime. The author of this paper tries to find an answer to the question as to who is responsible for the issues of personal background surveys. Further considerations are intended to present these surveys in the light of the various disciplines related to criminal law. In the course of his considerations, the author additionally introduces the concepts of the model, resolving certain theoretical as well as practical issues in law. He compares the relationship of the penal code of the Polish People’s Republic to the models specified. In the next part of the paper, the author addresses issues relating to personal background surveys in the context of enforcement proceedings, juvenile proceedings and forensic science. The issues of the surveys discussed contain numerous and various matters to be resolved.