Deck 9: Eliciting Useful Information

Question 1

At the outset, the goal of both interview and interrogation is ________. However, once someone has been identified as a suspect, the goal of an interrogation becomes:"

A) to obtain useful information; to urge him or her to retain counsel
B) to obtain a confession only; to force him or her to accuse someone else
C) to obtain useful information; to obtain his/her alibi
D) to obtain useful information; to obtain a confession

Answer 1

D

Question 2

What are the main criticisms of The Reid Technique?

A) it teaches investigators to assume a suspect's guilt
B) its inherent manipulation can cause innocent suspects to confess
C) it does not account for stress-induced responses which may be exacerbated by mental illness
D) all of the above

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The case of Paul Ingram illustrates which type of false confession?

A) voluntary
B) coerced
C) coerced-internalized
D) coerced-compliant

Answer 3

C

Question 4

What is the most frequent cause of wrongful conviction?

A) errors in eyewitness identification
B) errors in interrogation
C) errors in interview strategy
D) errors in jury decision-making

Question 5

When questioning a suspect, police can legally:

A) use physical violence and/or threats of physical violence
B) deprive the suspect of food, water, or sleep
C) employ psychological manipulation or trickery
D) deny the suspect's request for legal representation

Question 6

Explain why a confession, whether true or false and offered under duress, is difficult for a defendant to overcome at trial.

Question 7

Provide an overview of Kassin's research on false confessions. How can we extrapolate from this data in order to inform the criminal justice system?

Question 8

Explain how minimization and maximization are utilized during an interrogation."

Question 9

Discuss three reasons why someone might offer a voluntary false confession. Cite a case which involved such a confession.

Question 10

Explain why deception is a common phenomenon among individuals who have committed criminal offenses.

Question 11

Identify the nine steps of the Reid Technique's Accusatory Interview and discuss its use of deception as it relates to false confessions.

Question 12

Identify and briefly describe each of the three types of false confessions discussed in the text. Provide at least one reason why someone might offer each.

Question 13

Discuss the difference between recall and recognition memory and explain the relevance of these concepts to eyewitness memory.

Question 14

Briefly explain the following identification procedures: lineup, photo array, and show up. Then, discuss proper (non-suggestive) police procedures for improving the accuracy of eyewitness identification.

Question 15

Outline appropriate interview techniques that police should utilize when speaking with witnesses. Consider not only what officers should do, but also what they should avoid so as not to unduly influence the witness.