ethical interviewing

Question 1

what model was introduced to try and improve the problems with interviews

Answer 1

PEACE

Question 2

what were interviews like before PEACE was introduced?

Answer 2

persuasive, with int endgame being to get a confession

creating long interviews with poor results

lead to false confessions

Question 3

what does PEACE stand for

Answer 3

Planning and preparation
Engage and explain
Account, clarify and challenge
Closure
Evaluation

Question 4

planning

Answer 4

written interview plan including range of topics to be covered, framework for questioning and points necessary to prove a potential offence

should consider practical arrangements and ensuring correct equipment is available

Question 5

engage and explain

Answer 5

build rapport
explain how the interview will take place
start with open questions to build rapport

Question 6

account

Answer 6

obtain an account of events by using open questions and prompts if necessary

challenge inconsistencies at the end, to prevent restricting how much the subject will reveal

clarify what has been said to ensure no miscommunications

Question 7

closure

Answer 7

accurately summarise what the interviewee has said

should bring the interview to an end in a calm and controlled manner, to maintain rapport and prevent the suspect from fleeing

Question 7

evaluate

Answer 7

to determine if further action is necessary, how the account fits in with the rest of the investigation, and for the interviewer to reflect on their own performance

Question 8

evidence

Answer 8

P - Kebbell (2000) supports
E - Found evidence from questionnaires completed by violent offenders and sex offenders presenting ethical interviewing and displays of humanity were more likely to get a confession compared to interviewer dominance
E - Therefore demonstrating that they are successful in improving the accuracy and reliability of a confession

P - Walshe and Milne (2010) rejects
E - The study found that interviewers trained in ethical interviewing were not that good at building the rapport required
E - This lack of rapport may negatively affect confession or that rapport is not necessary to gain a confession, and shows that not all officers are suitable for ethical interviewing

Question 9

applications

Answer 9

P - to ensure ethical interviewing is always used
E - over 70% of the UK police force has used ethical interviewing since 2010
E - can reduce the amount of wrongful convictions as traditional methods bullied people into confessions, which cost society a lot of money and therefore also decreases risk to society as the correct people are being imprisoned.

Question 10

criticisms

Answer 10

P - Difficult and time consuming
E - Ethical interviewers need to have training in how to conduct one and improve their communication skills, and they may not always be available, also unrealistic to train all members of the police force
E - Therefore there may be limitations in cases where the police need a quick turnaround, as the first 48 hours after a crime are the most important

P - alternative interviewing techniques may be better
E - Stephenson and Moston (1993) examined 1067 police cases and found in 99% of cases where evidence was strong, police were sure of the guilt of the suspect
E - as persuasive interviewing was used at this time, this shows that it was still just as effective as ethical interviewing