Police perceptions of ADHD in youth interviewees |
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Authors: | Kimberley J Cunial Mark R Kebbell |
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Institution: | 1. School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australiakimberley.cunial@griffithuni.edu.au;3. School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia |
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Abstract: | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in witness-victim/suspect interviews holds strong relevance for policing. Four purpose-written vignettes were used to test the extent to which ADHD interviewee behaviour impacts on the work of 46 experienced Australian detectives and their ability to identify ADHD as a likely diagnosis. Detectives reported frequently encountering ADHD-type interviewees in their work; perceiving such interviewees to be at a very significant risk of future contact with the criminal justice system; and perceiving ADHD-type behaviour to exert a highly significant impact on interviewing time efficiency as well as quality. Detectives gave highly significant ratings of ADHD as a likely explanation of vignettes describing ADHD-type behaviour for witness-victims as well as suspects. However, they could not identify ADHD as the most likely explanation over and above other possibilities. Implications are discussed in terms of a rationale for future research targeting police awareness and training needs in ADHD. |
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Keywords: | ADHD youth police interviewing vignette |
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