Chapter 3.1: Police Interrogations

Question 1

What is the Reid Model of Interrogation?

Answer 1

• 9 step process (not always used in sequence + some steps are used more than others)
• goal: make the outcomes of confessing sound better than keeping it a secret (makes suspect believe it’s in their own interest)
• accusatorial approach

Question 2

What is the goal of police interrogation?

Answer 2

securing confessions
a confession is the most powerful evidence in court

Question 3

What are the first three steps before the Reid Technique?

Answer 3

1) gather evidence from everyone before the suspect (witnesses, family, victim(s), etc.)
2) non-accusatorial interview with suspect to try and assess guilt
3) start interrogation if believed to be guilty

Question 4

What are the 9 steps of the Reid Technique?

Answer 4

1) direct positive confrontation
2) theme development
3) do not allow denials
4) overcome objections
5) retain suspects attention
6) handling passiveness
7) alternative question (most important step)
8) suspect accepts responsibility
9) suspect writes and signs confession

Question 5

2) Theme Development

Minimization Techniques

Answer 5

used for emotional suspects
goal: give suspect a false sense of security so they’ll confess (step 7)
- moral justification
- minimize seriousness - normalize crime
- put blame on someone else - praise + flattery

Question 6

2) Theme Development

Maximization Techniques

Answer 6

used for non-emotional suspects
goal: make suspect feel hopeless by using scare tactics
- intimidate suspect
- catch them in a lie
- exaggerate seriousness of offence

Question 7

What are potential problems with the Reid Technique?

Answer 7

• detecting deception (what if interrogators aren’t good enough at detecting deception?)
• biases based on opinion (investigator bias)
• suggestive questions may result in false confessions

Question 8

why is detecting deception a problem with the Reid Model?

Answer 8

• difficult even with training
• is it accurate at all?
• suspect needs to know their rights

Question 9

how does investigator bias pose problems for the Reid Model?

Answer 9

• police begin interrogation already believing them to be guilty
• more likley to pay attention to facts that support their beliefs
• impacts attitude and extent of interrogation tactics
• could lead to suggestive questioning and false confessions

Question 10

R. v. Oickle

What are the Supreme Court’s 4 points to determine if a confession was made voluntarily

Answer 10

1) police made no threats or promises
2) unjust or inhumane treatment involved?
3) suspect was aware of what they were saying and who they were saying it to (of sound mind)
4) consider degree of police trickery

Question 11

What is an alternative to the Reid Technique?

Answer 11

[P] PLANNING AND PREPARATION
gather info and make a list of questions
[E] ENGAGE AND EXPLAIN
introduction, adres needs, explain reasoning, no confrontation or evidence given up front
[A] ACCOUNT
free narative, don’t interrupt, open ended TED questions, challenge if needed but don’t accuse
[C] CLOSURE
review, answer any questions, exchange info, explain what happens next
[E] EVALUATION
reflect on evidence, evaluate own performance, review tapes, supervisor eval

Question 12

What is a main difference between PEACE and REID?

Answer 12

PEACE is inquisitorial
REID is accusatorial