Psych of Criminal Interviewing and Interrogation

truth-default theory

contends that individuals presume a presumption of honesty which inhibits one’s ability to accurately detect deception

machiavellian intelligence hypothesis

manipulation, pretense, and deception are essential components of human nature and are indicative of human intelligence

the person was being deceptive, identified as deceptive

true positive

the person was being truthful, identified as truthful

true negative

false negative

the person was being deceptive, identified as truthful

false positive

the person was being truthful, identified as deceptive

lies of commission

saying something that is not true

lies of omission

leaving out information that might lead to truth

detecting a liar is what type of positive?

true postive

a false positive can lead to…?

a wrongful conviction

the polygraph

should be able to distinguish truth and lies based on physiological responses

what are the three styles of the polygraph test

relevant-irrelevant test, comparison question test, and guilty knowledge test

what are the three types of questions in the RIT

non-arousing irrelevant, arousing irrelevant, arousing relevant

relevant-irrelevant test

innocents should show the same reaction for all questions; if guilty, more pronounced physiological response for the crime relevant questions

relevant-irrelevant test

what polygraph test has a high number of false positives?

how does the comparison question test work?

examiner gathers biographical information and stresses the machine is infallible

what are the two types of questions in the CQT?

control/comparison and relevant questions

comparison question test

guilty should be more aroused by the relevant questions, innocents should be more aroused by the comparison questions

what is the score on the CQT to indicate deception?

-6 or lower

what is the scale on the CQT

-3 to +3

guilty knowledge test

detect whether the person has guilty knowledge that only the perpetrator should know during mcqs

what are the three types of false confessions

voluntary, coerced-compliant, and coerced-internalized

what are the driving factors of voluntary false confessions?

protecting someone. mental illness (delusions), and notoriety

what are the driving factors of coerced-compliant false confessions?

confession to alleviate pressure

what type of false confession is most likely to be committed by a juvenile?

coerced-compliant false confession

what are the driving factors of coerced-internalized false confessions?

suspect knows they are false confessing, memory distrust, false memory

innocent suspects

are innocent or guilty suspects more likely to waive their miranda rights

what were the effects of the wickersham commission report

the SC began regulating the constitutional admissibility confessions and interrogations became more psychologically oriented

what are the two phased of the reid technique

behavioral analysis interview and the accusatory interview

behavioral analysis interview (pre-interrogation interview)

investigators attempt to detect deception by using verbal, nonverbal, and paralinguistic behavioral cues

what is the “positive confrontation” phase of interrogation?

step 1: telling the suspect you know they are guilty

what is the “theme development” phase of interrogation?

step 2: taking the emotional or non-emotional path depending on the suspects affect

what is the “handling denials” phase of interrogation?

step 3: not giving the suspect the ability to say they are innocent

what is the “overcoming objections” phase of interrogation?

step 4: shutting the suspect down/ reinforcing belief in guilt

what is the “procuring/retaining suspects attention” phase of interrogation?

step 5: physically keeping the suspect engaged and alert

what is the “handling the suspects passive mood” phase of interrogation?

step 6: verbally keeping the suspect engaged

what is the “presenting an alternative question” phase of interrogation?

step 7: give suspect 2 alternatives to admitting guilt (emotional/caught in a lie)

what is the “detailing the offense” phase of interrogation?

step 8: suspect detailing the offense prior to confession

what is the “written or oral confession” phase of interrogation?

step 9: suspect confesses to the crime

what are the core principles of social influence/psych of confession

authority, reciprocity, liking, scarcity, social proof, and commitment/consistency

authority

comply with request from individuals in positions of power

reciprocity

feels obligated to return favors

liking

say “yes” to people that we like

scarcity

place greater value on things that are available for a limited time

social proof

we look to others to help guide our choices and behaviors

commitment and consistency

once a commitment is stated, it is usually honored

false confession risk factors

psychologically coercive tactics, juvenile suspects, low iq, cognitive/developmental disabilities, and mental illness