Topic 3 - Collection of evidence

Question 1

Key Research

Answer 1

Memon+Higham (1999) - A review of the cognitive interview.

Question 2

1. Mental Reinstatment of Context

Answer 2

Witnesses are asked to mentally take themself back to the scene of the crime to recall information.

Milne (1997) - Context reinstatment alone obtains as much information from witnesses as the complete CI

Question 3

2. Report everything

Answer 3

Witnesses are asked to report everything that they can recall from the event, regardless of relevance.

It is hoped that the detail will enrich the p’s memory of the central event

Question 4

3. Recall from a variety of perspectives

Answer 4

Witnesses are asked to recall the event from multiple POVs.

This may lead to witnesses fabricating evidence or confusing them.

Question 5

4. Recall in a different temporal order

Answer 5

Witnesses are asked to recall the events in different orders, eg. backwards, starting half way through

Question 6

Comments on Quality of CI training

Answer 6

Training should be conducted by police sergeants
Interviewers’ beliefs, attitudes, motivation and personal experience should be accounted for.
Interviewers should be given feedback
Officers should be able to practice the CI technique
Officers should recieve a two-day training course

Question 7

Reid

Answer 7

Aims of interrogation = 1. Raise anxiety + 2. Reduce barriers to confession

Step 2 = Theme development - Using different themes (potential explanations of the crime) until the suspects accepts one.

Step 5 = Procurement + Retention of Attention - Interrigator should hold focus with interviewee

Step 7 = Presenting an alternative Q - Using a two-option question, where both admit to guillt.

Question 8

Gudjonsson

Answer 8

What can cause false confessions

The defendant - More likely from very young/old, lower IQ, mental disorders

The arrest - Common when arrested suddenly, violently, during the night

Mental / Physical State - More likely to confess if stressed, ill, anxious or drunk

Interrogation - False confessions are more likely when coercive, biased questions are used

Gudjonsson suggestibility scale (GSS) - Help to identify if a suspect is susceptible to a coerced compliant confession.

Question 9

Mann et al

Answer 9

Lie-detection techniques

99 police officers from Kent were shown 54 video clips from real police interviews.

The best lie-detectors focus of story contradicitions rather than body language.

Police interviews should follow these strategies -

Training = Police officers should be trained to focus during interviews on listening to story contradictions

Environment = Police interviews could be set up so the focus is on listening to the witness - eg. phone call

Question 10

PEACE Model

Answer 10

Method of interviewing witnesses, vitcims + suspects, assuming that they are lying, this will break down.

Preparation + Planning - Plot a timeline / facts
Engage + Explain - Form a rapport + explain purpose
Account + Clarification + Challenge - Give an uniterruptable account, open questions + honesty
Closrue - Close / finish interview well, maintain rapport
Evaluation - Evaluate the information obtained, check inconsistencies

Question 11

Application - Accurate info from a witness

Answer 11

1. Build Rapport - Peace Model
2. Cognitive Interview - Memon + Higham
3. Avoid leading questions - Loftus + Palmer