Ethical Interviewing

Question 1

Outline 6 points about ethical interviewing

Answer 1

• Criticism with previous police interviewing = they fail to treat suspects with respect and dignity
  PEACE:
• Planning and Preparation
  Interviewers should think about aims and objectives, as well as required outcomes
• Engage and Explain
  Interviewers should attempt to build a rapport with suspects, explaining how interview will take place and answering questions
• Account
  Interviewers should clarify the account but not contradict or interrupt
  Any issues not covered can be explored by asking through closed questions, which may reveal inaccuracies
  Challenge phase should be left to the end as it could restrict how much the suspect reveals
• Closure
  Interviewers should bring the interview to a comfortable conclusion to avoid negative emotional reactions, such as anxiety or anger
• Evaluation
  Interviewers should evaluate the results and their performance against aims

Question 2

Application?

Answer 2

P - Yes
E - The ultimate aim of the technique is to build a rapport and adhere to the suspects rights to obtain a confession
E - Therefore such ethical methods may improve the public faith in the legal system and its convictions

Question 3

Weakness?

Answer 3

P - Difficult and time consuming
E - Ethical interviewers need to have training in how to conduct one and improve their communication skills
E - Therefore there may be limitations in cases where the police need a quick turnaround

Question 4

Supporting study?

Answer 4

P- Keebel et al (2010)
E- Found that ethical and humane treatments of sex offenders were more likely to get a confession rather than interviewer dominance
E- Shows that using ethical interviews in police interviewing can be more effective

Question 5

Opposing study?

Answer 5

P- Walsh and Milne (2010)
E- Showed that even after training, interviewers were not good at building rapport
E- This is likely to reduce the effectiveness of the technique