Investigative Interviewing (REID)

Question 1

Interrogation

Answer 1

aim to get a confession

Question 2

Interview

Answer 2

aim to gain information to further the investigation

Question 3

Reid model

Answer 3

1. Gather evidence
2. Non-accusatorial interview to assess guilt (detecting deception)
3. 9-step accusatorial interrogation to obtain a confession

Question 4

Name the 9 steps of the accusatorial interrogation.

Answer 4

1. Direct positive confrontation
2. Theme development
3. Do not allow denials
4. Overcoming objections
5. Retain suspect’s attention
6. Handling passiveness
7. Alternative question
8. Relate offence details
9. Create written confession

Question 5

1. Direct positive confrontation

Answer 5

~ state certainty in suspect’s guilt
~ pause, observe repeat confrontation
~ passive reaction = deception
~ purpose is to figure out ‘why’

Question 6

2. Theme development

Answer 6

EMOTIONAL
~ Feels distress and remorse
~ interrogator should be sympathetic
~ appeal to conscience
NON-EMOTIONAL
~ feels nothing in particular 
~ interrogator approach = factual analysis
~ appeal to reasoning

Question 7

3. Do not allow denials

Answer 7

~interput any attempted denials (repeated demands = less likely to confess)
~ Innocent suspect = spontaneous, forceful, eye-contact
~ Guilty-Suspect = hesitant, defensive

Question 8

4. Overcoming objections

Answer 8

~ allow objection and return to theme
~ innocent suspect = continues with original denials
~ guilty suspect = moves from denial to objections

Question 9

5. Retain suspect’s attention

Answer 9

~ deal with withdrawal by suspect

~ re-engage suspect –> move closer, lea forward, mention first name, touch lightly, eye contact

Question 10

6. Handling passiveness

Answer 10

~ suspect is about to give in = slumped shoulders, crying, black stare
~ focus on main theme and urge suspect to come clean (use sympathy and understanding)

Question 11

7. Alternative question

Answer 11

~ present two explanations for crime
1. reprehensible
2. face-saving
e.g. did you plan to kill her or did it just happen?
~ timing is critical

Question 12

8. Relate offence details

Answer 12

~ get suspect to verbalise the offence

~ get full details on crime –> turn into written confession

Question 13

9. Create written confession

Answer 13

~ written and signed confession more incriminating

~ less important with videotaped interrogations

Question 14

Name themes for emotional suspects.

Answer 14

~ normalisation of crime
~ minimize seriousness
~ suggest morally acceptable reasons
~ condemn others (e.g. victim)
~ praise and flatter

Question 15

Name themes for non-emotional suspects.

Answer 15

~ catch them in a lie
~ get suspect associated with crime scene
~ non-criminal intent behind act
~ no point in denying involvement
~ play one co-offender off the other

Question 16

Reid in the real world

Answer 16

~ King and Snook (2009)

~ Case of Brendan Dassey

Question 17

Name the problems with Reid method.

Answer 17

1. Detecting deception
2. Investigator bias
3. Psychologically coercive tactics
4. Suspect vulnerabilities

Question 18

REID: Investigator bias

Answer 18

~ assumption fo guilt by interrogator –> ask more guilt-presumptive questions, more coercive, more persistent, more pressure
~ suspect gets defensive = looks suspicious

Question 19

REID: Psychologically coercive tactics

Answer 19

MINIMISATION

MAXIMISATION

Question 20

REID: Suspect vulnerabilities

Answer 20

~ mental state
~ mentally weak (IQ<80)
~drugged or intoxicated
~ sleep deprived
~ compliance and suggestibility
~ state of anxiety
~ understanding of legal rights

Question 21

Minimisation

Answer 21

~ flash sense of security
~ moral justification
~ may imply leniency

Question 22

Maximisation

Answer 22

~ intimidate suspect
~ flash claims about evidence
~ exaggerate seriousness of offence