Running head: INTERROGATIONS AND CONFESSIONS 1 1
Interrogations and Confessions
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INTERROGATIONS AND CONFESSIONS 2
INTERROGATION AND CONFESSIONS
Summary and synthesis
The objective of police authorities is to generate confessions from the suspected
perpetrators of criminal acts. It is approximated that 68 percent of self-incriminating reports are
gathered suspects interrogated by the police. Confessions are a preferred method because it saves
time, resources, and is gives accurate evidence that can be used in courts. The Judges are capable
of establishing if the confessions are as a result of coercion and factor such in their decisions.
Thus, the justice system can make attribution error by blaming the suspects based on behavior
rather than the circumstances under which the confession was made. Judges are responsible for
determining if there is satisfactory evidence to prove if a confession was coerced. If established,
the judge can disqualify such confessions from being made in courts.
The interrogation techniques have transformed over the years to attain the current
standards. Before the 1930s, torture was applied on suspects to confess; such cruel methods led
to the enactment of legislation illegalizing such approaches. The legislation led to a shift in
interrogation to physical abuse leaving no marks on suspects used against the authorities. In
recent years, psychological forms of abuse have gained roots in ascertaining if a suspect was
coerced to confess; if established, the confession is regarded as objectionable. The U.S
constitution does not give a clear definition of coercion, posing a challenge for the judicial
system to reach a consensus if it has been committed. From 1966, the suspects have legal
protection, which must be considered before commencing the interrogation process.
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In most cases, innocent persons are free and feel that they have nothing to hide, while
guilty individuals tend to cooperate with the investigators. Reid technique highlights intended
tenets of the questioning environment and strategies of generating confessions. False confessions
contribute to a quarter of wrongful cases, often witnessed in serious crimes. Specific individuals
such as people with low IQ, disable, and low socioeconomic backgrounds are forced to give
coerced false confessions. The objectives of false confessions are to attain a goal and establish if
a suspect believes in their guilt. Police and criminal evidence Act prohibit interrogation teams
from lying or intimidating suspects. It demands that all interviews be recorded, and an adult
should be present to represent the underage and vulnerable persons. In some countries like the
United States, the police are permitted to lie to suspects raising concerns if such acts can be acts
that can be carried forward to the courts.
How the chapter information applies to issues in psychology and the legal system
Introduction
Interrogation is an essential act of probing suspects to ascertain if allegations placed
against them are true or false. The police officers have a role of establishing evidence among the
suspects if they confess on the acts. The information obtained through interrogation and
confession is essential for the legal system to charge the convicts or not. The psychological
approach is utilized to ascertain if the suspect was coerced to confess or done out of goodwill.
The legal system can establish if the confessions have been coerced by incorporating such
considerations in their decisions. The judges handling the case are mandated to determine if there
is convincing evidence of coercion of confessions. If their findings establish so, the legal system
is at liberty to disallow it and deter confessions from being presented in courts.
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Evolution of interrogation techniques
In the contemporary world, psychological forms of abuse have gained popularity if a
confession is considered to have been obtained by coercion, such confessions are regarded as
inadmissible. The American constitution does not clearly define coercion; thus, the legal system
is at crossroads in reaching an agreement if it has been perpetuated. The lawlessness and law
enforcement report of 1961 led to covert abuse leaving no marks on deprivation, isolation, and
intimidation of suspects (Slide 6). The period marked a turning point in legal decisions triggering
the police from physical covert to psychological coercion. Five years later, Miranda rights were
passed to remain silent, have a lawyer present during questioning, and have an appointed lawyer
if the suspect is incapable of hiring an attorney (Slide 7). The totality of circumstances allows the
judges to look at all circumstances surrounding an interrogation process explicitly.
Modern interrogation
Modern interrogation is an essential psychological through the good and bad cop. Police
officers have been trained on psychological aspects of interrogation (Slide 9). The Reid approach
highlights nine steps of how an appropriate interrogation should flow (Slide 10). This approach
incorporates four psychological strategies: loss of control, isolation, the certainty of committed
guilt, and exculpatory scenes.
Use of torture in interrogation
Torture is contrary to international law and violates both domestic laws and international
treaties. The act also violates moral and ethical codes of conduct; it has been established that
torture can force the suspects to give false confession (Slide 18). Actions emanating from torture
INTERROGATIONS AND CONFESSIONS 5
may pose severe consequences like military actions. In the United States, police interrogators are
legally allowed to use false evidence against the suspects (Slide 19). In countries such as
England and Wales, PACE Act illegalizes lying, demands that witnesses should be present, the
interrogation must be recorded in audio format, and intimidation of either suspect or witnesses
should not be accepted.
Analysis of the chapter information from a Christ-centered perspective
The Bible serves a guideline to Christians in making decisions and navigation of the
challenging paths in life. God's intention for creating man in his image was to have man follow
his command and nature. Humanity are all equals before God; thus, we should not manipulate
others by giving false testimony against them to avoid our wrongdoings because God is righteous
and just. The Bible records that we should confess our sins to another and pray for each other to
be healed (James 5:16). People may make mistakes, but the Bible insists that we should confess
our sins one to another to be healed. The ultimate teachings of Jesus revealed the truth; thus,
during interrogations and confessions, the objective should be anchored on truth as the driving
principle because knowing the truth sets people free (John 8:32). Again, it is necessary for police
interrogators not to coerce the suspects but to carry out genuine and impartial investigations to
render justice where it is due. The quest for humanity is to receive justice; hence, false
accusations used by American police should not be encouraged because it is against the Biblical
principles. The Bible records that, when God will be judging individuals on the final day,
everyone will account for careless words they utter because with it, they shall be condemned,
and with it, they shall be justified.
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References
Chapter 2 (n.d). Interrogation and confessions
James 5:6 (n.d). Confess your sins to one another
John 8:32 (n.d). The truth shall set you free
Slides (6-19). Interrogation and confession
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