Interrogative Suggestibility

Abstract

Confessions are a key piece of evidence to be used against a suspect in courtroom proceedings. Defense attorneys often attempt to suppress the confession at the pretrial stage by raising issues of an involuntary Miranda waiver or an involuntary confession. At trial, the credibility of a defendant's statements to the police becomes an important issue. The interrogation of a highly suggestible suspect heightens the risk of false or less than accurate confession. Mental health testimony is often useful to the trier of fact at both the pretrial and the trial stages. A comprehensive psychological assessment in this context includes the use of the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales to supplement clinical interview information, third party data, and other psychological tests. An individual's interrogative suggestibility is influenced by age, intelligence, memory, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and previous criminal convictions.