Annotated Bibliography 8: The Scenario

Annotated Bibliography 8 Annotated Bibliography THE SCENARIO Police Interrogations and False Confessions was the scenario chosen among the other four cases. It involves a teenager, 17 years of age who was accused of murdering his parents and the police officers used lies in order to have him accept to have done the crime. It is later found that a fellow business person to his father was responsible for the murder.

In this annotated bibliography, multiple scholarly articles are examined to understand the dynamics of police interrogations, the use of deceptive tactics, the risk of false confessions, and the implications for justice. The scenario involves a 17-year-old suspect coerced through deception, leading to a false confession, with the true perpetrator later identified. This scenario underscores critical issues surrounding interrogation practices, evidentiary procedures, and the integrity of the justice system.

Paper For Above instruction

Police interrogations are a pivotal component of criminal investigations, yet they are fraught with complexities that can compromise the integrity of justice. The scholarly literature reviewed in this paper illuminates various facets of interrogation techniques, their psychological impacts, and implications for wrongful convictions, especially in vulnerable populations such as juveniles.

Understanding Police Interrogation Techniques and Juror Perceptions

Leo and Liu (2009) explore what potential jurors know about police interrogation methods and the prevalence of false confessions resulting from psychologically coercive tactics. Their study highlights that police often employ techniques involving pressure, persuasion, and manipulation to elicit confessions, with jurors perceiving these tactics as often leading to truthful confessions. The authors emphasize that jurors believe witnesses and corroborating evidence can serve as safeguards against false confessions. However, the research reveals that in reality, coercive techniques can distort the justice process by generating confessions from innocent suspects, particularly when suspects are vulnerable, such as youth or individuals with mental health issues (Leo & Liu, 2009). This understanding points to a critical need for juror education regarding interrogation practices and their pitfalls.

Police Practices and Challenges in Detecting Lies

Kassin et al. (2007) investigate police beliefs and practices related to interrogation and lie detection. Their self-report survey indicates that police officers believe they are over 77% accurate in discerning truth from deception during interrogations, often relying on methods such as physical isolation, establishing rapport, recognizing contradictions, and confronting suspects with evidence. While these strategies can be effective, the study underscores their limitations, as police often overestimate their abilities, and interrogations are seldom foolproof. Prolonged interrogations, averaging around 1.6 hours, can heighten the risk of false confessions, especially among juveniles or suggestible individuals. These findings reveal the critical need for standardized protocols and oversight to minimize wrongful confessions arising from interrogation errors (Kassin et al., 2007).

Impact of Personality and Plausibility on False Confessions

Klaver, Lee, and Rose (2008) examine how personality traits, interrogation techniques, and the perceived plausibility of accusations influence false confessions in an experimental setting. Their research finds that about 10% of participants falsely confess to crimes they did not commit, with higher plausibility levels increasing false confession rates. Notably, females were more prone to false confessions than males. These results underscore that certain personality variables and suggestive interrogation practices can lead innocent individuals, especially those with particular susceptibilities, to admit guilt falsely. The ethical implications are profound; law enforcement needs enhanced training to recognize these vulnerabilities and adapt interrogation techniques accordingly (Klaver et al., 2008).

Role of Technology and Organizational Practices in Evidence Collection

Garicano and Heaton (2010) analyze how information technology influences police productivity and evidence collection. Their findings suggest that technology alone does not suffice; its effectiveness hinges on integrated organizational and management practices. As police departments incorporate advanced communication and evidence search tools, their success in solving cases improves only when complemented by sound organizational strategies. This insight emphasizes that technological investments should be paired with proper training and management protocols to reduce wrongful convictions caused by misinterpretation or mishandling of forensic evidence (Garicano & Heaton, 2010).

Forensic Evidence in Police Interviews and Its Challenges

Smith and Bull (2014) investigate how police officers utilize forensic evidence during suspect interviews. Their study, involving over 390 officers from various countries, reveals that although forensic evidence is widely available, many officers lack adequate training on its interpretation and application. Consequently, misinterpretation can lead to wrongful convictions, as innocent suspects are prosecuted based on faulty evidence assessments. This underscores the importance of specialized training in forensic analysis for law enforcement personnel to enhance evidentiary accuracy and prevent miscarriages of justice (Smith & Bull, 2014).

Procedural Justice and Court Trust

Tyler (2007) discusses the importance of procedural justice within the judicial system, emphasizing that public trust hinges on perceptions of fairness and neutrality. The article advocates for courts to uphold legitimacy by enforcing impartial judgments and avoiding biases that could undermine confidence in the justice process. When courts and police demonstrate fairness, transparency, and consistent application of laws, wrongful convictions can be minimized, reinforcing the integrity of the legal system (Tyler, 2007).

Perceptions of Fairness and Legitimacy in Justice

Similarly, Bowers and Robinson (2012) address perceptions of fairness and legitimacy in judicial processes. They argue that community engagement and alignment with societal values are essential for fostering legitimacy. When police and courts practice fairness and demonstrate moral credibility, public confidence increases, which can lead to improved cooperation and reduced wrongful convictions. Conversely, perceptions of bias or injustice can erode trust, making wrongful convictions more likely (Bowers & Robinson, 2012).

Conclusion

Collectively, these scholarly works underscore the critical importance of reforms in police interrogation practices, evidence handling, and judicial fairness to prevent wrongful convictions exemplified by the scenario of the juvenile coerced into falsely confessing. Implementing standardized protocols, training law enforcement officers in forensic and interrogation techniques, leveraging organizational strategies alongside technological advancements, and fostering transparency and fairness within judicial systems are essential steps toward safeguarding justice. Addressing these factors can significantly reduce incidences of false confessions and wrongful convictions, restoring public trust and upholding the integrity of the criminal justice system.

References

  • Garicano, L., & Heaton, P. (2010). Information technology, organization, and productivity in the public sector: Evidence from police departments. Journal of Labour Economics, 28(1), 1-35.
  • Kassin, S. M., Leo, R. A., Meissner, C. A., Richman, K. D., Colwell, L. H., Leach, A. M., & La Fon, D. (2007). Police interviewing and interrogation: A self-report survey of police practices and beliefs. Law and Human Behavior, 31(4), 381–392.
  • Klaver, J. R., Lee, Z., & Rose, V. G. (2008). Effects of personality, interrogation techniques and plausibility in an experimental false confession paradigm. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 13(1), 71–88.
  • Leo, R. A., & Liu, B. (2009). What do potential jurors know about police interrogation techniques and false confessions? Behavioural Sciences & the Law, 27(3), 397–410.
  • Smith, L. L., & Bull, R. (2014). Exploring the disclosure of forensic evidence in police interviews with suspects. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 29(2), 81–86.
  • Tyler, T. R. (2007). Procedural justice and the courts. Court Review, 44, 26–164.
  • Bowers, J., & Robinson, P. H. (2012). Perceptions of fairness and justice: The shared aims & occasional conflicts of legitimacy and moral credibility. Journal of Criminal Justice, 40(4), 235–245.
  • Additional references should be added here with proper APA formatting as needed.

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