Chapter 1 | Decision To Confess Flashcards
Emotional decisions to confess are related to the subjects ________ and ____________.
Guilt feelings and self-image
The suspect who elects to confess makes the decision to do so either _________ or ___________.
Emotionally or rationally
Explain “Transactional Analysis”
A branch of psychology which attempts to explain interpersonal relations
In Transactional Relationships individuals adopt one of three roles. Name them (3)
Parent, adult, child
Transactional Relationships: in the _____________ model, the interrogator takes the role of the parent and the suspect takes the role of the child.
Emotional Model (Transactional Relationships)
Name the five fears of confessing during private sector interrogations.
- Fear if termination or financial repercussion.
- Fear of arrest or prosecution.
- Fear of embarrassment.
- Fear of restitution.
- Fear of retaliation.
Why People Confess: this roadblock to confessing is most common among those with little previous contact with the police.
Fear of arrest or prosecution
Decision to confess: this barrier to confess is to protect the suspects self-image
Fear of embarrassment
Barrier to confession: Fear of _________: this hurdle can be insurmountable.
Fear of retaliation
In our research with convicted felons, they have all said essentially the same thing: if the interrogator _____________ they will at least consider confessing.
Treats them as if they have value
Suspect Denials: certainly, the fears of the suspect play a role in the decision to confess, but ___________ is undoubtedly a greater factor.
The way a suspect is approached by the interrogator
The interrogator must anticipate what _______ the suspect will use to counter the accusation of wrongdoing.
Actions or behaviours
The reason a suspect might deny guilt can be divided into three basic areas: name them (3)
Environment, suspect, interrogator
Suspect denials: a reason why a suspect may deny guilt is “environment”. Explain
The timing of the interview, location, room setting, witness selection, and other factors.
Suspect denials: a reason why a suspect may deny guilt is “suspect”. Explain
Past experience with the criminal justice system.
Suspect denials: a reason why a suspect may deny guilt is “interrogator”. Explain
Word usage, plan of attack and confidence in the suspects guilt
Of the three reasons a suspect denies guilt, which one makes the largest contribution to a suspects decision to deny?
Interrogator
The interrogator must look at the suspects behaviour in ___________ to be able to understand how the suspect is likely to react when told that his involvement in an illegal act has been uncovered.
All aspects of his daily life
The suspects choice of a strategy (to deny) will be based on ____________.
What has been found to be successful in the past
On deciding to confess: the identification of the suspects likely response can often be discovered by ____________.
Asking previous interviewers or supervisors how the suspect reacted when disciplined or confronted.
Name the four basic parts parts of Interrogation
- Reduce Resistance
- Obtain the admission
- Development of the admission
- Professional close
Four parts of an interrogation: explain reducing resistance
Depending on the style chosen, this could be done with a systematic presentation of evidence, use of emotional appeal, or interrogator persistence.
Four parts of an interrogation: explain obtain the admission
This admission is not a confession, but mearly the first admission that confirms the interrogators assertion that the suspect was involved.
Four parts of an interrogation: explain developing the admission
The who, what, where, when, how, and why
Four parts of an interrogation: explain professional close
The interrogator reduces the suspects oral admission to a permanent form, written or taped, and have it witnessed.
Behaviourally, suspects will move through several distinct phases as the interrogator continues his monologue. Name them (3)
Rejection, evaluation, and submission.
Behaviourally, suspects will move through several distinct phases as the interrogator continues his monologue. Describe the PHYSICAL characteristics of the rejection phase.
Closed body posture
Behaviourally, suspects will move through several distinct phases as the interrogator continues his monologue. Describe the PHYSICAL characteristics of the evaluation phase.
Body will begin to appear more open and the hand will often move to the face in a consideration pose
Behaviourally, suspects will move through several distinct phases as the interrogator continues his monologue. Describe the PHYSICAL characteristics of the submission phase.
The subjects body will begin to open and the arms and legs will uncross.
The ________ is generally an extension of the rationalization the interrogator was offering to the subject.
The assumption question
Another type of assumption question is the _________. This question does not provide the suspect a choice but instead asks about some aspect of the suspects involvement in the crime.
Soft accusation
“Did you use the money for bills or was it for drugs?” Is an example of what type of question?
Assumptive question
“When was the first time you took money from the company no matter how long ago?” Is an example of what type of question?
Soft accusation
What type of question immediately follows a soft accusation?
Follow-up question
What type of question comes right before a follow up question?
Soft accusation
______________ this is the time to present evidence that clearly contradicts the suspects statement.
The interrogator is faced with an absolute denial from the suspect
In general suspects make the decision to confess based on ___________ and __________.
Their own perception of the situation and their personal needs.
External factors, the fear of being arrested, threats, or other issues contributed to a confession _____% of the time
20%
In a study, _____% of the suspects indicated that they experienced relief after talking and explaining their side of the story.
42%
________% of people interviewed wanted to “get it off their chests”.
33%
By far, __________ was the strongest factor to encourage a confession.
Proof
________% of the suspects interviewed said that they confessed because they believed people could prove their involvement.
52%
