Forensic - Area 3 Flashcards
What are interviews with a suspect ?
They are defined by code C of police and criminal act (PACE). “Questioning of persons involvement in criminal offense must be always carries out under caution.
What do police in the UK say when arresting someone ?
” You do not have to say anything but may harm your defence when questioned on something you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given as evidence. “
What do police in the US say when arresting someone ?
“You have the right to remain silent, anything you do say can and will be used in court of law. You have the right to an attorney and if you cannot afford one, an attorney will be appointed for you.”
What can interrogations lead to ?
Can give police with lawful means of convincing someone.
What did Kassin state about interrogation ?
Guilt is a presumptive process and the outcome of an interrogation is measured by gaining a confession.
What is conformational bias ?
More likely for interrogators to be affected by this as it is unlikely that interrogators will revaluate their beliefs.
What did Gudjonsson say about willingness to comply ?
He found that individuals who score highly on self-report of compliance are more vulnerable due to their eagerness to please others.
Are people with psychological disorders more likely to make false confessions ?
Yes as they have distorted memories and perception.
Are the youth more likely to make false confessions ?
Judgement may be immature as they are impulsive and diminished.
What did Gudjonsson look at ?
Showed police had coerced false confessions during IRA bombings of Birmingham six. They were sentenced to life imprisonment. 4 out of 6 men had signed confessions. Argued that there are 4 factors surrounding each confession.
What were the 4 factors affecting confessions ?
1) Defendant
2) The Arrest
3) Mental/ physical stat
4) Interrogation
What is a standard interview ?
Rapid fire questions with frequent interruptions. Too standardised so lack detail.
What did Fisher and Geiselman look at ?
Consists of a set of 4 components that the interviewer should follow to maximise information retrieval. Shouldn’t be followed as a recipe but should be seen as a toolbox of skills to be used strategically.
What were the 4 factors that Fisher and Geiselman stated ?
1) Context reinstatement
2) Recall everything
3) Recall from changed perspective
4) Recall in changed order.
What did Fisher et al state ?
Tested cognitive interviews in field using interviews with recall witnesses.
16 police deferred, 7 trained in CI. Interviews recorded and analysed at Uni in California who were blind to conditions/ who wasnt trained.
What did Fisher et al find ?
Found 63% more was obtained by detectives who were trained in CI than untrained. CI techniques produce and increase in information that could help solve crimes.
What is the background to Memon and higham ?
Traditional technique used by police is standard interviews.
Fisher and Geiselman developed CI with 4 stages: context reinstatement, recall everything, recall in changed order and recall with changed perspective.
What is the method of Memon and Higham ?
Review of Fisher and Geiselman CI organised around 4 themes.
What was the aim of Memon and Higham ?
Aimed to make comments on theoretical and practical issues considered with CI research and the practical considerations relating to using CI in the field.
What 4 features were Memon and Higham looking at ?
-Effectiveness of CI components.
-Relationships between CI and other interviewing methods.
-Different measures of memory performance.
-Effect of quality of training.
What is context reinstatement ?
This is for the individual to reconstruct the physical and personal context of the crime. (Create image, smell, touch, etc).
Does context reinstatement work according to Memon and Higham ?
Yes it does and is the strongest component of the CI according to M+H. Test context and context reinstatement overlap maximises memory retrieval.
What is reporting everything in CI ?
Individuals are encouraged to report everything in full without missing any details they may consider to be irrelevant.
Does reporting everything work according to M+H ?
No as it can facilitate recall of additional information. However, it may make witnesses yield information that may be valuable in putting details from various witnesses together.
What is recall from changed perspectives ?
This is when witnesses are encouraged to place themselves in the shoes of the victim forcing a change in retrieval description allowing additional information to be recalled.
Does recall from a changed perspective work according to M+H ?
No as there are concerns that it could lead to fabricated details and may confuse the witness or mislead them. It does not increase amount of information recalled.
What is recall in changed order ?
When witnesses are encouraged to recall from various starting points, not just start to finish, as it is assumed to change retrieval description.
Does recall in changed order work according to M+H ?
Found it was more effective to recall from start to end. There was no evidence that any more information is recalled when changing the order of recall.
What is a standard interview ?
It is a form of variable interviews that are non- standardised. No training is needed and no special attention is given.
Do standard interviews work according to M+H ?
No as M+H recommend against it compared to CI, especially when research is focussed effects CI have on memory. Lacks reliability.
What are guided memory interviews ?
They are interviews that use context reinstatement techniques. Interviewer has to provide lots of guidance for the witness to recall information.
Do guided memory interviews work according to M+H ?
Is a reasonable comparison as GMI and CI have techniques for context reinstatement. You can see whether CI effectiveness is due to contact reinstatement of due to a combination of cognitive techniques.
What are structured interviews ?
Allows you to build a rapport with the witness so witness can give narrative descriptions. It is non-interruptive, expansive and confidence building.
Do structured interviews work according to M+H ?
With appropriate training both CI and structured interviews can be effective. You can measure effectiveness of CI as structured interviews don’t use cognitive techniques.
What is the effect of quality of training ?
Original CI procedure was easily communicated than the enhance version. CI interviewers found that CI procedure was more demanding than CI. Found police showed resistance to the training and failed to follow instructions. May depend on who is doing the training.
Does quality of training matter according to M+H ?
Interviewers should be given adequate training in CI techniques. A 2 day training programme was recommended. Need to direct training to select group of officers who have the potential to make good interviewers. Assumes poor interviewers won’t benefit from training.
What is measures of memory ?
Performance is measured by % of interview statements that are correct. Output of information is greater for CI than SI. Reporting everything decreases accuracy nd changing order can change and improve accuracy.
Does different measures of memory work according to M+H ?
Goldsmith model predicts poorer accuracy with increased output. Can predict CI performance to test the effects CI has on retrieval. Better than relying on % correct of statements as indices of interview efficacy.
What is the PEACE framework ?
It is a non accusatory model first developed in the UK. Used as a way to stem the proliferation of false confessions that are a result of an accusatory style of interviewing.
What does the PEACE framework acronym stand for ?
P = Planning and preparation
E =Engage and explain
A= Account, clarification and challenge
C= Closure
E = Evaluation
What are audio recordings ?
They provide real evidence that the interview took place. Load tape infront of suspect and seal tape at end in a bag infront of the suspect. Tell suspect they are being recorded. Secure digital network is often used and recording is stored on a secure file folder.
What act is audio recordings under ?
Code E under PACE. Audio recordings while interviewing a person cautioned in respect of any indictable offense.
How is CI used as a strategy ?
CI and its components can be explained as a way to improve police interviews.
