FPSYC3400 Lecture 9: Investigative Interviewing: Witnesses & Suspects

Investigative Interviewing

A process used by law enforcement to gather information from witnesses and suspects.

Cognitive Interview (CI)

An interviewing technique aimed at enhancing the accurate recall of information from witnesses.

Enhanced Cognitive Interview (ECI)

An adaptation of the CI that incorporates social and communication principles to improve retrieval.

Reid Technique

A widely used interrogation technique that is accusatory and aims to extract confessions from suspects.

PEACE Model

A non-confrontational interviewing approach focused on information gathering and open-mindedness.

Rapport Building

The process of establishing a relationship of trust and empathy with the interviewee.

Open-ended Questions

Questions that encourage unrestricted narrative responses, allowing the interviewee to provide detailed recall.

Specific-closed Questions

Questions aimed at clarifying or expanding on details not provided in free recall.

Forced-choice Questions

Questions offering multiple options, which can lead to inaccuracies if the witness guesses.

Multiple Questions

Questions that contain several inquiries at once, often confusing the respondent.

Leading Questions

Questions that suggest information or impose assumptions, potentially distorting the witness's memory.

Cognitive Load

The amount of mental effort being used in the working memory during recall.

Memory Retrieval

The process of recalling information stored in memory.

Interpersonal Relationship

The social connection or interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee, essential for successful interviewing.

Vulnerable Witnesses

Individuals such as children or the elderly who may require special consideration during interviews.

Detection of Deception

The process of assessing whether a witness or suspect is being truthful or lying.

Validity Assessment

The evaluation of the truthfulness and credibility of a witness's account.

Exposure Duration

The length of time a witness was exposed to an event, impacting their memory accuracy.

Cross-race Bias

The phenomenon where individuals are more likely to accurately identify people of their own racial or ethnic group.

Retention Interval

The time elapsed between the witnessing of an event and the recollection of that event.

Confidence in Recall

The level of certainty a witness feels about their memory recollections.

Funnel Technique

Interview approach that starts with broad questions and narrows down to specific details.

Mental Context Reinstatement

A technique used to aid recall by recreating the context in which the original memory was formed.

Interviewing Suspects

The process of questioning individuals suspected of committing a crime to gather information.

Accusatory Interrogation

An interrogation style that confronts the suspect with accusations, aiming to elicit a confession.

Voluntariness

The principle that confessions must be given freely and without coercion.

False Confessions

Confessions that an innocent individual provides, often under pressure or coercion.

Innocence Project

An organization that helps exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals, often focusing on DNA evidence.

Situational Risk Factors

Factors in the interrogation environment that increase the likelihood of false confessions.

Coercive Interrogation Tactics

Methods used during questioning that apply pressure or threats to elicit a confession.

Compliance

The act of yielding to persuasion or pressure, often leading to false confessions in vulnerable individuals.

Reid Technique Steps

The nine steps used to guide an interrogation under the Reid Technique.

Maximization

A tactic used in the Reid Technique to inflate the perceived seriousness of the alleged crime.

Minimization

A tactic used in the Reid Technique to downplay the moral seriousness of the crime.

Third Degree Tactics

Aggressive methods including physical and psychological abuse used historically in interrogations.

Legal Counsel Rights

The right of suspects to consult with an attorney before and during questioning.

Informant

A person who provides privileged information about a suspect to authorities.

Psychological Pressure

The mental stress imposed during an interrogation that can lead to confessions.

False Evidence Presentation

A tactic where investigators present fictitious evidence to coerce confessions.

Coerced-Compliant Confessions

Confessions given by suspects who feel they must comply with police pressure despite their innocence.

Coerced-Internalized Confessions

Confessions made by suspects who come to believe they committed the crime, often due to suggestive interrogation techniques.

Youth Vulnerabilities

The heightened susceptibility to false confessions among adolescents due to developmental factors.

Cognitive Impairments

Mental conditions that can affect a person's ability to understand legal rights and the consequences of confession.

Substance Abuse

The use of drugs or alcohol that can impair a suspect's decision-making and memory.

Memory Confabulation

The phenomenon where individuals create false memories without the intention to deceive.

Demeaning Tactics

Methods used in interrogations that belittle or degrade the individual being questioned.

Detecting Deception

Methods or techniques used to identify whether a suspect is lying.

False Memory

A recollection of an event that did not occur, or is remembered inaccurately.

Witness Compatibility,

Ensuring that questioning aligns with the witness's perspective and experience.

Social Psychology Principles

Concepts from psychology that examine how individuals influence and are influenced by others.

Memory Retrieval Techniques

Methods used to enhance the accurate recall of memories during interviews.

Non-accusatory Approach

A style of interviewing that focuses on information gathering rather than accusation.

Behavior Analysis Interview

An interview method that assesses a suspect's behavior to estimate their credibility.

Interrogation Stage

The phase of interviewing where the interrogator pressures the suspect for a confession.

Neutral Stance

The approach of remaining objective and unbiased during an interview.

Predictive Validity

The extent to which a tool or method accurately predicts outcomes, like witness recall.

Memory Decay

The process through which memory fades over time without reinforcement.

Elderly Witnesses

Older individuals who may require special consideration during investigative interviews.

Detection Strategies

Techniques developed to help interviewers identify deception or truthfulness in responses.

Falsely Accused

Individuals who are wrongly identified or blamed for a crime they did not commit.

Witness Statements

Accounts provided by individuals who saw or experienced an event relevant to an investigation.

Impairment

A reduction in the ability to function effectively due to physical or mental conditions.

Recognition Memory

The ability to correctly identify previously encountered information or stimuli.

Accuracy of Recall

The degree to which a witness's memory corresponds to the actual event.

Witness Reliability

The level of trustworthiness or dependability of a witness's account.

False Assumptions

Incorrect beliefs that can influence testimonies or confessions.

Fact-based Questions

Inquiries aimed at gathering concrete information or details from witnesses or suspects.

Unrestricted Recall

The practice of allowing individuals to recount their experiences without limitations.

Misinformation Effect

The phenomenon where a person's memory of an event becomes less accurate due to misleading information.

Contextual Cues

Environmental or situational factors that assist in memory retrieval.

Probing Questions

Inquiries designed to elicit further detail from a witness based on their initial statements.

Non-verbal Cues

Facial expressions, body language, and other nonverbal indicators during an interview.

Interrogation Environment

The setting where interrogations are conducted, which can impact the subject's responses.

Touchstone Cases

Legal cases that set precedence or highlight certain legal principles regarding confessions.

Bias in Interviews

A tendency of interviewers to favor information that confirms their hypotheses.

Interviewer Influence

The potential impact an interviewer can have on a witness's or suspect's recall during the interview.

Critical Incident Stress

Emotional and psychological responses to traumatic events that can affect memory recall.

Standard Police Interview

The traditional method of interviewing that often lacks effectiveness in obtaining accurate information.

Post-feedback Effect

The phenomenon where feedback given after recall can distort a person's memory.

Police Accountability

The responsibility of law enforcement to conduct ethical and fair interviewing and interrogation techniques.

Competitive Memory Model

A theoretical framework suggesting that retrieval of certain memories may inhibit others.

Historical Interrogation Practices

Traditional methods used in interrogations, often involving coercive tactics.

Accountability in Research

The obligation researchers have to be honest, responsible, and ethical in their methodologies.

Trauma-informed Interviewing

An approach that recognizes and responds to the effects of trauma on a witness's or suspect's recall.

Legal Precedents

Previous legal decisions that influence future cases and the interpretation of laws.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two contradictory beliefs or values.

Layperson Understanding

How the general public comprehends and interprets legal concepts or practices.

Memory Reconsolidation

The process of stabilizing and storing memories after they are recalled.

Suspect Rights

Legal entitlements granted to individuals being questioned in an investigation.

Behavioral Evidence Analysis

A method of assessing the behavior of suspects to determine credibility.

Judicial Oversight

The role of the courts in monitoring law enforcement practices and ensuring fairness.

Community Trust

The level of confidence the public has in law enforcement and the justice system.

Witness Credibility

The assessment of how reliable a witness's testimony is.

False Memory Syndrome

A condition where individuals recover false memories of events that did not happen.

Evidentiary Standards

The criteria that determine what information is admissible in court.

Optimistic Bias

The tendency to believe that one is less likely to experience a negative event.

Trial Outcomes

The results of legal proceedings, affected by evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments.

Criminal Defense Strategies

Techniques used by attorneys to defend suspects accused of crimes.

Community Misconceptions

Common misunderstandings or misinformation related to legal processes or law enforcement.

Psychiatric Evaluations

Assessments conducted to determine an individual's mental health for legal purposes.