Collection and Use of Evidence from Witnesses and Suspects Flashcards
What is the difference between an interview and an interrogation?
- Interview is non-accusatory, whereas an interrogation is accusatory
- Take notes in interview, not in interrogation
What are the Reid Nine Steps of Interrogation?
1 - Direct Positive Confrontation (“We know you did it”)
2 - Theme Development (Trys to find justification for crime)
3 - Handling Denials (interrupts all denials)
4 - Overcoming Objections (turns them around and uses them against suspect)
5 - Procurement and Retention of Suspect’s Attention (physically close to suspect, eye contact, use name)
6 - Handling the Suspect’s Passive Mood (if they cry, infer guilt etc)
7 - Presenting an Alternative Question (offer face-saving option)
8 - Get the Suspect to Confess Orally (ask details)
9 - Written Confession (used as evidence in court)
What are four factors surrounding every confession that need to be investigated to ensure the confession is not false?
1 - The defendant - false confessions more likely from certain people (e.g. young, old, have a mental disorder etc)
2 - The arrest - suspects arrested suddenly, violently or in the middle of the night , or interrogated for long hours
3 - Mental/Physical State - confessions unreliable if suspect is stressed, anxious, ill or intoxicated
4 - The interrogation - biased or leading interview tactics can encourage vulnerable suspects to make false confessions
What are the four main techniques used in The Cognitive Interview?
- Report Everything
- Recall in Different Orders
- Mental Reinstatement of Context
- Recall from Different Perspectives
What is the difference between The Cognitive Interview (CI) and The Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI)?
The ECI uses the same 4 techniques as the CI, but adds social aspects and a structured framework to improve communication.
What is The Standard Interview?
The name given to the type of interview that police officers use prior to the introduction of the CI.
