Caring for data: law, professional codes and the negotiation of confidentiality in Australian criminological research. Final report.

In this report, the researchers offer guidance to criminologists attempting to navigate, and manage the impact of, laws that relate to the protection and disclosure of confidential and personal information that they gather in the course of their research. They start by providing examples of the impact of relevant laws on the practice of criminologists to set this work in it proper context, and then provide a general overview of laws relating to issues such as privacy, confidentiality and compelled disclosure. Drawing on this background, the report provides brief responses to frequently asked questions covering the ways researchers gather, store, use, disclose and reuse information. The report concludes by examining possible future developments.

Throughout the report the researchers attempt to illustrate how the practice of criminological research intersects practically with relevant laws. This intersection can be painful as relevant laws are by no means tailored to suit the environment of such research. However, the aim is to help criminologists and their institutions reach better informed decisions about management of legal risks although, of course, this report is not a substitute for specific advice.