Domestic homicide reviews: identifying best practice in learning lessons and implementing change

Annex 1: Methodology

The information in this report was derived from a limited review of selected academic literature, analysis of relevant data produced from the Scottish Government’s targeted engagement consultation, and six interviews and group discussions with relevant experts identified by members of the subgroup and taskforce (see below). This work was undertaken by Justice Analytical Services from Nov 23-Jan 24.

Building on the International Review undertaken by the Scottish Government and Professor John Devaney’s Working Paper, it was recognised that there was a paucity of academic evidence on the monitoring and evaluation of DHRs. The literature reviewed was therefore limited in scope and drawn mainly from papers recommended by experts or identified in previous reports.

Discussions with experts asked them to share their views on questions regarding the identification and implementation of learning from reviews. They provided their perspectives on the key challenges and barriers to learning from reviews, as well as examples of best practice, and offered important considerations to take into account when developing the model for Scotland, in order to ensure learning is generated and taken forward effectively. Interviews were undertaken with four academics with specialist knowledge and experience in developing and conducting domestic homicide reviews. Interviews were semi-structured and tailored to each discussant depending on their specific expertise. Interviews were conducted online, and were recorded and transcribed on MS Teams in accordance with Scottish Government data protection guidance. An information and privacy notice was issued to interviewees in advance and consent was recorded verbally at the start of interviews.

Group discussions with representatives from other Scottish learning reviews, specifically adult support and protection, child protection, and the Care Inspectorate were also undertaken to identify any Scotland-specific considerations and covered similar topics, tailored to their interests. A list of experts consulted is provided below.

List of experts consulted for this report:

• Dr Peter Jaffe, Professor & Director, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children, University of Western Ontario
• Professor Neil Websdale, Director of the Family Violence Center at Arizona State University and Director of the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative (NDVFRI)
• Dr James Rowlands, Lecturer in Criminology, University of Westminster
• Professor Khatidja Chantler, Professor of Gender, Equalities & Communities, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Representative from adult support and protection learning reviews (Scotland)
• Representatives from child protection learning reviews (Scotland)
• Representatives from the Care Inspectorate (Scotland)

The key questions that guided the discussions were:

• Based on your experience, what helps to ensure that the learning from a review leads to the improvements or changes that the review hopes for?
• What would you say are the key challenges or barriers to implementing recommendations produced by reviews?
• Can you give examples of existing or potential mechanisms and strategies that you think would be effective at facilitating the successful uptake or implementation of learning from reviews?
• How might legislation help to increase buy-in and investment in the process from agencies and organisations, and how might this improve the likelihood of ownership of learning from a review?
• How might legislation help to measure the success of reviews, and what would you consider ‘success’ to be?