Revised Issue Part 1 with Criminal Investigation Issue Part 2

Revised Issue Part 1 with Criminal Investigation Issue Part 2

The research proposal that was presented earlier is related to the challenges and effectiveness methods of investigating elder abuse. Therefore this paper is focused on the importance and impacts of court cases that pertains to elder abuse and recommendations for methods and techniques that law enforcement professionals can implement to improve their effectiveness in the area of elder abuse cases investigation and prosecution.

Importance and Impact of Three Court Cases that Pertain to Elder Abuse

Almost every year there are dozens of elder abuse cases rise up in courts and then appeal again in appellate courts across the United States. Some of those cases have established important precedents and have marked a continuous growth in the significance of elder problems in the legal system (Chadwick, 2008).

Case 1: The Brook Astor Case

The legendary philanthropist of New York Brook Astor died in 2007, at the age of 105. Two men, his son Anthony Marshall and estate attorney Francis X. Morrissey, had been entrusted with Astor's financial wellbeing. In 2007, these two men heard a guilty verdict by a jury against them. As Mr. Marshall was found accountable on 14 and 16 counts and his attorney was found accountable on counts of fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. The condition of Mrs. Astor came into knowledge around in 2006 when her grandson wanted to have his father detached from her guardianship amidst allegations of financial exploitation and neglect. The court trial involved nineteen weeks of testimony and closing arguments. The main issues in this case were the mental state of Mrs. Astor and her ability to take or alter decisions related to her financial well being and problems relevant to abuse of power of attorney. The case experienced several allegations that were made related to the elder abuse and neglect, but the financial aspect of the case was in focused by criminal charges. Some of the critics also suggest that this case must have been managed as a civilian matter rather than criminal case (Uekert et al, 2009). Where this case is very much important and impact the elder abuse cases investigation in U.S. law because it involve the relevance of capacity and undue influence which are among the most important elements in this regard. This case also implies that elder abuse case victims may face undue influence which can barriers the right prosecution of these types of case.

Case 2: The Ruby Wise Case

Ruby Wise was around 88 years and found dead in her home following the call from her son and sole caretaker, Christopher Wise. She was bruised, emaciated, and had bedsores so intense that her hip and shoulder bones were exposed. She was wearing a soiled adult diaper and a hospital gown, and when law enforcement found her in her bed, she had flies on her face. It was acknowledged that she was not on medications and had not seen doctors since two years before ...