Gudjonsson & Pearse 1998 - interviewing suspects - police interviews and vulnerability

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

to test the hypothesis that psychologically vulnerable suspects are particularly likely to confess as well as those without previous offence, younger people and those without legal advice.

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

Quasi

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

160 adults being questioned by the police (with consent).

mainly for property offences but some for violence and drugs

84% male, mean age 28

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

1 hour of tests including clinical interview, questions on legal rights, gudjonsson suggestibility scale, reading test etc.

28 participants, 17.5% deemed vunrable by 3 clinical psychologists.

their interviews were compared to the non vunerable group

the police interviews were analysed for police tactics

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

3 police interviewing tactics were identified:

• introducing the evidence in the case
• emphasising the serious nature of the case
• challenging the suspect of lying

half the venerable group confessed
60% confessors were 25yrs old or younger
suspects who took drugs in past 24hrs 3 times as likely to confess
twice as likely to deny if have had previous prison experience.

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

no significant difference in confessions.
however younger suspects are more likely to confess. drug use also effects confessions as does the presence of a legal representative.