Modeling the influence of investigator bias on the elicitation of true and false confessions.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to model various social and cognitive processes believed to be associated with true and false confessions by exploring the link between investigative biases and what occurs in the interrogation room. Using the Russano et al. (Psychol Sci 16:481-486, 2005) paradigm, this study explored how perceptions of guilt influenced the frequency and type of interrogation tactics used, suspect's perceptions of the interrogation process, the likelihood of confession, and investigator's resulting perceptions of culpability. Results suggested that investigator bias led to the increased use of minimization tactics and thereby increased the likelihood of false confessions by innocent participants. In contrast, the manipulation of investigator bias had no direct or indirect influence on guilty participants. These findings confirm the important role of investigator bias and improve our understanding of the decision-making process associated with true and false confessions.

Accusatorial and information-gathering interrogation methods and their effects on true and false confessions: a meta-analytic review

“…As summarized by Kassin and Gudjonsson (2004), interrogations generally involve three components: (1) custody and isolation, in which the suspect is detained in a small room and left to experience the anxiety, insecurity, and uncertainty associated with police interrogation; (2) confrontation, in which the suspect is presumed guilty and told (sometimes falsely) about the evidence against him/her, is warned of the consequences associated with his/her guilt, and is prevented from denying his/her involvement in the crime; and finally (3) minimization, in which a now sympathetic interrogator attempts to gain the suspect's trust, offers the suspect face-saving excuses or justifications for the crime, and implies more lenient consequences should the suspect provide a confession. The strong belief in "guilt" on the part of interrogators has been shown to lead to the use of longer interrogations that involve more psychologically manipulative tactics-ultimately leading to the elicitation of both true and false confessions that confirm the beliefs of the interrogator (see Kassin et al 2003;Kassin 2002, 2004;Narchet et al 2011). The psychological manipulation of consequences in this context, and the associated manipulation of perceived culpability on the part of the suspect, have been shown to directly influence the incidence of false confessions (see Horgan et al 2012).…”

Sleep deprivation and false confessions

“…However, interrogators more often capitalize on psychologically coercive interrogation strategies, which are known to increase the risk of false confession in innocent suspects (3,4,(7)(8)(9)(10). As such, the use of these strategies contribute to an inordinately stressful and mentally taxing experience for an innocent suspect (11), who must rely on a number of complex cognitions and decision making skills to protect their interests and avoid selfincrimination during a potentially lengthy interrogation.…”

Interview Expectancies: Awareness of potential biases influences behaviour in interviewees

“…Given the prevalence of expectancy effects within most human interactions, this topic has started to receive more attention within forensic contexts such as, criminal investigations (Hill, Memon, & McGeorge, 2008), decision-making in judicial professionals (Porter & Ten Brinke, 2009), and accusatory investigative interviews (Kassin, 2005;Kassin, Goldstein, & Savitsky, 2003). Within the framework of the investigative interview, expectancy effects are often studied as a by-product of confirmation bias held by EXPECTANCY EFFECTS AND BEHAVIOUR 4 police officers or other judicial players (Narchet, Meissner, & Russano, 2011;Powell, HughesScholes, & Sharman, 2012;Rassin, Eerland, & Kuijpers, 2010). However, there has been little research within the area of the investigative interview that has examined how expectancy effects may arise internally in the interviewee based on the interviewee's perception of the situation.…”