What is considered the most potent weapon for prosecutors in criminal law?

Confession evidence

What percentage of the first 143 DNA exonerations in the US involved confessions?

20%

What are the two main purposes of conducting an interrogation?

To elicit further information relevant to a case and to obtain a full or partial confession.

What is the 'confession culture' among police officers?

Over 80% of police officers cite confession as the primary aim of interrogation.

What psychological phenomenon makes people more likely to believe confessions than denials?

Fundamental attribution error

What is the first step in the 9-step procedure for eliciting confessions?

Confront the suspect with his or her guilt.

What is the difference between maximization and minimization in interrogation techniques?

Maximization involves aggressive questioning to elicit confessions, while minimization involves sympathetic approaches.

What are common signs that a suspect might be lying during an interrogation?

Nervousness, fear, confusion, and hostility.

What are the three types of false confessions identified by Kassin & Wrightsman?

Voluntary false confessions, coerced compliant confessions, and coerced internalized confessions.

What is a voluntary false confession?

A self-incriminating statement offered without external pressure from the police.

What characterizes coerced compliant confessions?

Obtained after intense interrogation pressures, where the suspect confesses to escape or gain a reward.

What happens in coerced internalized confessions?

An innocent person comes to believe they are guilty due to coercive interrogation.

What was the accuracy rate of participants identifying true and false confessions in Kassin et al. (2005)?

54%

What factor increases the likelihood of false confessions according to Kassin & Kiechel (1996)?

Subjective vulnerability and the presence of false evidence.

What are the recommendations to improve the interrogation process?

Reduce police pressure, videotape interviews, ensure solicitor presence, identify vulnerable individuals, and gather corroborative evidence.

How do innocent people often react during interrogations?

They may believe the truth will prevail and are more likely to waive their rights.

What is the significance of videotaping suspect interviews?

It provides a record that can prevent misinterpretation of confessions.

What is the impact of confession evidence on jurors?

It has a significant influence, often leading to a presumption of guilt.

What is the role of psychological themes in interrogations?

They are developed to justify or excuse the crime during the interrogation process.

What does the term 'interrogative suggestibility' refer to?

The phenomenon where a person comes to believe false information presented during interrogation.

What is a common misconception about the behavior of guilty versus innocent suspects?

That guilty suspects will avoid eye contact and be overly polite, which lacks empirical support.

What is the effect of police presumption of guilt on interrogation outcomes?

It leads to more aggressive questioning and changes in how suspects respond.

What is a false positive in the context of confession evidence?

A situation where a not guilty suspect is incorrectly identified as guilty based on a confession.

What is a false negative in the context of confession evidence?

A situation where a guilty suspect is incorrectly identified as not guilty due to lack of confession.

What does the term 'self-preservation strategies' refer to in the context of interrogations?

The tactics that individuals use to protect themselves during high-pressure situations.

What is the significance of the 'deal or no deal' factor in interrogations?

It influences whether suspects feel they have something to gain by confessing.

What is the implication of delayed consequences in decision-making during interrogations?

People may choose immediate relief from interrogation pressure over potential future consequences.