Police interrogation |
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| Authors: | Geoffrey M Stephenson Stephen J Moston |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Social and Applied Psychology, University of Kent at Canterbury , Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7LZ, UK;2. Department of Psychology , The University of New south Wales , PO Box 1, Kensington, NSW, Australia , 2033 |
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| Abstract: | Abstract We describe a study of more than 1000 interrogations by Metropolitan Police Officers. Obtaining a confession is found to be the paramount reason for interviewing a suspect. However, few suspects who did not initially confess changed their minds during the interview. 42% of suspects admitted their guilt—about the same number as obtained before tape recording of interviews was introduced. Strength of evidence and legal advice were the principal factors associated with confessing. The confession rate also varied according to which police station hosted the “interview”. An “accusatorial” style of questioning was associated with the possession of strong evidence against the suspect. |
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| Keywords: | police interrogation interviewing style confession |
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