RA 2 Written Report

Getting a Written Statement

Rhoshanna Glover

Argosy University

Getting a Written Statement

Whether Videotaping is Applicable

Videotaping or recording is applicable to interrogation or interview situations in which a written statement is needed from some potential suspect. The interrogation personnel point out that, videotaping suspect’s statements is quite significant because it helps in reducing doubts concerning the nature of confessions. It also helps in avoiding the attorney’s challenges of the accuracy of audiotapes and also the completeness of the written statement confessions. In addition, the videotapes help in jogging detectives’ memories when testifying, and also it helps in countering the defense criticism of softening up techniques for interrogating suspects. Using videotaping in an interrogating situation that needs a written statement also helps in showing the physical condition of the suspect when booked and also to document the notification of suspect’s constitutional rights. It also assists in mental health evaluations of the suspect that have issues with sanity. Videotaping or recording helps improve the reliability and credibility of the authentic confessions, and it protects the rights of the innocent suspects (Geller, 1993).

In essence, a suspect can provide information, in which case it can be recorded in the form of audiotape, videotape, a written record of the interview, a written note or statement of verbal comments that the suspect makes before or even after the formal interview. Most often, police videotape interviews, although it is sometimes audiotaped and recorded in writing. Videotaping is significant in situations where a written statement is needed, and this is to show some relevance and connect what the suspect says in the video resembles what he or she writes in the statement.

Statements, whether recorded or written, are vitally the work-product of the suspect’s interviews and interrogations. Such statements lock the suspect into his or her story and also make it difficult to change the description of the events. Videotaping or recoding can be applicable in interrogation situation that requires a written statement because all of them follow the same pattern and they all have distinct parts. Recording and videotaping currently are quite easy to obtain and also they are quite powerful than the written statements when it is produced in the courts. Videotaping will allow the investigators to focus on the communication, and it also serve to protect the interviewer from the claims of using threats or misconduct. Videotaping or recording are quite transcribed into some written word, and the transcriptionist ensures that he or she completely understands everything on the tape (Geller, 1993).

Potential Pitfalls Interrogators Face

One of the challenges investigators face is in understanding how to read the behavior of the suspect. Understanding the behavior of the suspect is crucial in getting his or her statement, and failing which things might go wrong. In essence, not every person reacts the same way under pressure. Investigators ought to align their instincts with the evidence and facts available. The other challenge involves removing an emotional model and just deciding to operate under some rational model whenever the investigator encounters a lot of injustice and wrongdoings.

The other challenge involves the struggle to ensure they do not contaminate the statement or confessions. In essence, a statement or confession is tampered or contaminated when queries are asked that uses some particular crime scene data and results. For instance, using crime scene pictures that have not been made public can no longer be valid, and this is because the suspect might become quite educated on the crime via interrogation and simply goes ahead to repeat the knowledge learned. This might appear the suspect offered the statement or confession when, in essence, it was motivated by desire to end interrogation. There is a need to preserve the evidence. Investigators should not lead the suspect rather they should allow the suspect to record the statement and provide the information.

References:

Geller, W. (1993). Videotaping Interrogations and Confessions. The National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/139962NCJRS.pdf

Zulawski, D, Sturman, S & Hoover, W. (2001). Practical Aspects of Interview and Interrogation, Second Edition. CRC Press