Successful Interviews And Interrogations Of Suspects Often

Successful Interviews And Interrogations Of Suspects Often Involve Und

Successful interviews and interrogations of suspects often involve understanding the psychology of the offender and establishing a rapport with them, including those who have committed egregious acts. However, investigators and interviewers must take due care while embarking upon a dialogue with a suspect as the issue of false confessions have been known to result. Chapter 3 of Bartol & Bartol (2019) discusses the problems associated with false confessions and takes a rather sobering exploration into the interviewing process. In your post, examine the dominant strategies utilized during the interviewing process. In addition, explain the process through which a suspect can be compelled to confess to a crime for which they are not responsible.

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Successful interviews and interrogations are pivotal in criminal justice as they significantly influence the outcome of criminal investigations. These processes are complex and require a nuanced understanding of psychological, social, and biological factors that affect suspect behavior and responses. Investigators employ a variety of strategies that are grounded in criminology, psychology, and communication theories to elicit truthful confessions, while also being cautious of eliciting false confessions (Kassin, 2017).

Among the dominant strategies used during interrogations are the Reid Technique, PEACE model, and cognitive interview methods. The Reid Technique is widely used, comprising nine steps focused on confrontation, minimization, and psychological manipulation aimed at persuading the suspect to confess (Gudjonsson, 2018). This technique relies heavily on social influence tactics, including building rapport, explicit accusations, and minimizing the moral seriousness of the crime, which can lead to false confessions if the suspect is vulnerable or fatigued (Kassin et al., 2010). Conversely, the PEACE model emphasizes a non-confrontational approach, relying on open-ended questions, encouragement of cooperation, and minimization of social pressure, which reduces the likelihood of false confessions (Bull, 2016). The cognitive interview, primarily used for investigative interviewing of witnesses but also applicable to suspects, involves open dialogue that encourages the suspect to reconstruct the crime based on their memory, thereby reducing suggestibility and false confessions (Fisher et al., 2019).

Understanding the psychological underpinnings of false confessions is crucial. False confessions can occur through voluntary, compliant, or internalized pathways (Kassin, 2017). Victims may falsely confess due to coercion, intimidation, fatigue, misinformation, or the desire to escape an oppressive interrogation environment. Biological factors such as suggestibility, impulsivity, and mental health issues also influence susceptibility to coerced confessions (Leo, 2018). Social influences, including authority pressure, groupthink, and the dynamics of power between investigator and suspect, further contribute to vulnerability (Kassin et al., 2010).

Investigators can sometimes inadvertently manipulate suspects into confessing to crimes they did not commit through psychological coercion. Techniques such as prolonged interrogations, deception, false evidence ploys, and even physical discomfort can erode a suspect’s resistance (Kassin & Gudjonsson, 2004). For example, a suspect may become fatigued or overwhelmed, leading their cognitive defenses to collapse and resulting in a false confession. This process is compounded in suspects with mental health issues, youth, or social vulnerability, making them more impressionable and prone to suggestion (Lassiter & Meissner, 2010).

The danger in such techniques highlights the importance of ethical standards and training aimed at balancing effective interrogation with respect for suspect rights. Advances in neuroscience suggest that understanding the biological basis of suggestibility might help develop more reliable interrogation protocols, emphasizing non-coercive methods and safeguards to prevent wrongful convictions (Pew Research Center, 2010). Ultimately, effective and ethical interrogation practices that consider psychological, biological, and social factors are essential to ensure that confessions are truthful and that innocent suspects are protected from wrongful admissions of guilt.

References

• Bull, R. (2016). The psychology of investigative interviewing: An International perspective. Wiley.
• Fisher, R.P., Geiselman, R.E., & Amador, M. (2019). Cognitive interview: A tool for effective investigative interviewing. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 34(4), 321-329.
• Gudjonsson, G. H. (2018). The psychology of interrogations and confessions: A handbook. Wiley.
• Kassin, S. M. (2017). False confessions and wrongful convictions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(3), 237-242.
• Kassin, S. M., & Gudjonsson, G. H. (2004). The psychology of confessions. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 5(2), 33–48.
• Kassin, S. M., et al. (2010). Police-induced confessions: Risk factors and consequences. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Lassiter, G. D., & Meissner, C. A. (2010). Verbal lie detection: Theories and research. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 16(4), 365–394.
• Leo, R. A. (2018). Police interrogation and American justice. Harvard University Press.
• Pew Research Center. (2010). The science and psychology of interrogations. Pew Research Center Reports.
• Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2019). Introduction to criminal justice. Sage Publishing.