- 07/04/2013
- Posted by: essay
- Category: Free essays
The task is: Identify a case where significant information was gained through the interview process. Explain what interviewing techniques were used in the case. How was the case handled? What could have been done differently? Was the case handled properly? Explain
Introduction
Interviewing and interrogation techniques that are held by police is only a part of the larger criminal process.
The main goal during interrogation is to gather enough incriminating evidence to convince the prosecutor to file criminal charges against the suspect. (Richard, 1)
The major aspect of interviewing from perspective of the suspect and the police is interrogation’s outcome. The outcome might have a few possible options:
1. No information considered incriminating was provided by the suspect;
2. Some information considered incriminating was provided, but the crime or its elements were not directly admitted by the suspect;
3. Some elements of crime (but not the whole crime itself) were admitted by the suspect;
4. Full information (confessionof the suspect) was provided.
The interrogation techniques that are believed to be most effective
The main reason for using interrogation techniques is that when certain interrogation tactics are employed, the chances of eliciting incriminating information from suspects are substantially increasing.
For example, according to researches, there are four popular and effective interrogation techniques that were studied and shown statistically significant effect on interview results.
The most successful at eliciting incriminating information was a technique of “identifying contradictions in the suspect’s denial of involvement”. (Richard, 1) It has shown positive results in 91% of the cases when it was used.
Another successful technique that provides a positive outcome in 91% of all cases is “offering the suspect a moral justification or psychological excuse for his behavior”. (Richard, 1).
According to Richard, the last very common interrogation technique is “appealing to the suspect’s conscience”. (1) It gives a positive result in 97% of the interrogation cases.
Researchers state that other interrogation techniques like appealing to the importance of cooperating with legal authorities and usage of Behavioral Analysis Interview questions were also very successful in obtaining the information.
Interrogation technique training
Interrogation is an interaction with a suspect conducted in a controlled environment, designed to persuade the suspect to “tell the truth”. (Bergevin, 1)
The most common interrogation technique known among the police is called the Reid Interrogation Technique.
The basic of interrogation techniques is called active persuasion; this method is used mostly in the totally controlled environment. The most important component is officer’s ability to demonstrate the full confidence and to express certainty in the suspect’s guilt.
The vital officer’s ability for interrogation techniques usage is a confidence in detecting innocent person from guilty.
Interrogation techniques are based on the idea that innocent person will behave differently from the guilty person and police officer will be able to make a detection.
Another important element of all interrogation techniques is a nonverbal communications that are analyzed throughout interrogation process.
Both verbal responses and other nonverbal channels of communications (for example, posture, movements, eye contact and facial expressions) are considered are needed to be considered. Person’s attitude toward a situation or event will be evident based not only on the words he says, but on how he says them and on his body language as he is confronted by the officer and attempts to express himself.
Wahlquis states that despite the fact that interrogation techniques continue to develop and improve, they are also to may be subjected to errors.
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