Crim Psych Topic 3: Collection of Evidence

Question 1

Key Research - Memon and Higham

Answer 1

Aim:
to make comments on the theoretical and methodological issues to be considered in CI research and practical considerations of its use in the field

Effectiveness of components:
- no differences found between components and control
- CR found to be most effective with adults
- suggests kids struggled to use CI techniques

Interviewer variables and training:
- those with interview potential should be pushed towards investigates roles
- assumes poor interviewers won’t benefit from training

Conclusions:
- further research is needed
- not clear what a suitable control is

Question 2

Reid - nine steps of interrogation

Answer 2

Step 1) Positive confrontation - tell the suspect that the evidence confirms they are guilty beyond any doubt
Step 2) Theme development - try to develop themes that try to explain why they are guilty in an understandable way
Step 3) don’t let the suspect deny the crime
Step 4) the objectives a suspect makes should be turned into ways of making them acknowledge their guilt
Step 5) use their personal space and eye contact so they don’t become withdrawn and quiet
Step 6) handling the suspects passive mood
Step 7) prevent an alternative question
Step 8) get the suspect to make an oral confession
Step 9) suspect writes a full account of the crime

Question 3

Gudjohnsson

Answer 3

The suspect - false confessions likely to come from young, old and those with low IQ and mental health issues

The arrest - when arrested at night, suddenly or violently or interrogated for long periods at night

Mental state - false confession more likely when the suspects is stressed, anxious, ill or intoxicated

The interrogation - coercive, biased or leading interviewing tactics can increase chance of false confessions

Question 4

PEACE model of interviewing

Answer 4

Preparation and planning = having a record of all known evidence and information about the interviewee
Engage and Explain = establish a rapport with the witness and explain the purpose of the interview
Account, Clarification, challenge = allow the witness to give their own account first without interruption then further ask probing questions
Closure = ensure a rapport is still there, close the interviewer by giving the witness a way of contacting officers again if they remember anything else
Evaluation = review all of the information gathered from the interview.

Question 5

Mann - lie detection techniques

Answer 5

Aim:
to test the police officers ability to distinguish truths and lies during police interviews with suspects

Sample:
99 Kent police officers