Lecture 6 - Investigative Interviewing

Question 1

According to the College of Policing UK, what is investigative interviewing?

Answer 1

Investigation is a core duty of policing. Interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects is central to the success of an investigation.

Question 2

According to Kassin & Gudjonsson, what percentage of confessions are false and who are most likely to make these?

Answer 2

FC=25%
Juveniles, intellectual impairments and mental illness = largest frequency as more subject to influence and manipulation.

Question 3

What are the 2 reasons FC are exonerated?

Answer 3

Identifying real perpetrator (74%)
Scientific evidence (46%)

10-20% of criminals plead guilty to a crime they did not commit as part of their criminal journey.

Question 4

What are the main causes of False Confessions?

Answer 4

Coercion, manipulation, age, intellectual functioning, length & intensity of interview, threats & promises.

Question 5

What are the 3 types of FC?

Answer 5

1. Voluntary FC - innocent, no pressure, unconscious need for self-punishment, attention, protect real perpetrator (gangs).
2. Coerced-Compliant FC - confess to avoid interview. Trust in legal system to discover truth. Compliance to authority and persuasion.
3. Coerced-Internalised FC - innocent coming to believe they actually did it, doubt memory.

Question 6

What is Memory Distrust Syndrome according to Milne & Bull 1999?

Answer 6

More generally, people may not be able to rely on own memory.
Implicated in coerced-internalised FC.

Question 7

Briefly outline the US approach to interviewing.

Answer 7

Interviewing & Interrogation.
Interview = informal fact finding (assumed guilt here)
Interrogation = normal interview
Use of:
- Maximisation: false/exaggerated claims about evidence they have.
- Minimisation: underplay seriousness

Use distinction between emotional/unemotional suspects and modify to include/exclude sympathy.

Question 8

Name the 9 steps of the Reid Technique.

Answer 8

1. Direct positive confrontation
2. Theme development
3. Handling Denials
4. Overcoming Objections
5. Procurement & Retention of attention
6. Handling passive mood
7. Presenting alternative Qs
8. Orally relate details
9. Convert to written confession.

Question 9

What are some of the problems with the Reid Technique?

Answer 9

• Inherently dangerous (Buckley 2006)
• Guilt-presumptive, confirmation bias (Kassin et al 2003)
• Commercial produce, no scientific evaluation (Dixon 2000)

Question 10

Outline the cues to deception, detecting deception and the psychophysiological mechanisms used

Answer 10

• Body position, eye contact, grooming gestures, defensive barriers, illustrators.
• Lies may be embedded in truth - adept liars. Cognitive load = lying more demanding.
• Galvanic skin response, CV activity, breathing.

Question 11

Briefly describe the UK approach to interviewing.

Answer 11

Investigative interviewing
Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 = importance of recording.
Training in Conversation Management:
1. Pre-interview: SE3R - skim, extract, read, review, recall.
2. Within-interview: greet, explain, mutual activity, closure.
3. Post-Interview: summary & investifation.

Question 12

Name the 5 steps in the PEACE Technique.

Answer 12

1. Preparation & Planning
2. Engage & Explain
3. Account
4. Closure
5. Evaluation

Collect facts not confessions and aim for mutual respect, dignity and empathy.