Why Do Psychologists Believe People Make False Confessions

In 1966, an influential court case occurred – one that would shape the United States to improve the justice system. Ernesto Miranda was accused for crimes and identified by the victim, after which he was then interrogated. Miranda orally confessed to a crime and signed a written confession; however, he did not request a lawyer, nor was he advised of his right to have one present. Due to the inadequate constitutionality of the situation, Miranda was able to challenge the Supreme Court in this conviction. The ruling in Miranda represents the fulfillment of the legal tradition of the promise of self-incrimination by offering protection in statements, reinforcing the Fifth Amendment, and the equity of suspects during interrogation.

After going through this process, four out of the five suspects ended up confessing to the crime, because they were led to believe they could go home if they admitted they did it. Lastly, coerced-internalized confessions typically occur if the suspect is “anxious, sleep-deprived, confused, and subjected to a highly suggestive interrogation that often includes the presentation of false evidence” (McGrath, ScienceDirect Topics). When a suspect turns to this type of confession, interrogators can spot a weakness present in the suspect and take advantage of it, leading the suspect to be under the impression that

Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 2(4), i-109. Greene, E., & Heilbrun, K. (2011). Wrightsmans psychology and the legal system (7th ed.). 20 Davis Drive Belmont, CA 94002 USA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Thompson-Cannino, J., Cotton, R., & Torneo, E. (2010).

Web. 05 Feb. 2016. In this article research showed that using relationship building techniques instead of physical or mental abuse had better results in obtaining information. When people are being tortured, they feel even if they tell them they will still suffer. In contrast, people who don’t get tortured are more willing to cooperate.

False Confessions: Will they ever be stopped? Confessions are a large part of the justice system, they can make or break a reputation. In the court system, many confessions can change a person’s future. James Ochoa a 20-year-old was convicted of car theft when he was put in jail for his false confession.

The police then determine if the suspect is guilty and continuously interrogate, accuse, and even threaten the suspect for hours until they confess, whether they are guilty or not. On many occasions the people who are coerced into false confessions are have severe mental impairments that prevent them from functioning as a normal person with out the impairments would.

The fifth amendment to the United States constitution should remain just as it is, meaning that no person should be forced to provide incriminating evidence against themselves. And to do so would go against the natural law of self preservation. But by not compelling a person to provide evidence against themselves offers one relief from perjury in order to preserve themselves. The speaker equates not answering to lying which is incorrect, the speakers strawman example of not answering a spouse is an untruth and is an unrealistic example.

The consequences to this type of deception is the possibility of the confession being thrown out of court and the defendant being set free or even worse, found not guilty. Most homicide detective should have a good working relationship with the prosecutors that prosecute homicide cases. The homicide detective should tell the prosecutor as soon as possible about the investigation, interrogation, and the outcome of the interrogation. This will allow the prosecutor to be able to defend your actions and find case law if

The aspect of psychology and law research from this week is correlated to the week four-course material is most relevant to the topic of interrogations and false confession techniques that are used by the detectives. In the case that was presented in the documentary West of Memphis is an investigation of a failure of justice in Arkansas. The interrogation methods from the detectives lead to a false confession. A false confession is an admission to a criminal act that the confessor did not commit (Greene & Heilbrun, 2014, p. 165).

Though there were many issues with the interrogation of Michael Crowe regarding the suspected murder of his younger sister Stephanie, there are a few procedures which are indicative of a proper interrogation. The interrogators documented the interrogation; providing evidence of the interrogation practice as well as documenting the confession. The suspect was isolated in a sparsely furnished room without physical barriers between the suspect and interrogators. During the multiple hours-long interrogations Crowe endured, the authorities accused him of murder, verbally attacked his memory, threatened his future, and, eventually, coerced him into fabricating a confession (Nat Geo). The level of interrogation administered to Crowe was nothing short of psychological torture and child abuse (Smith).

Criminal Justice Psychologist The psychologist is a vital asset to the criminal justice system. The psychologist can examine victims, police officials and various witnesses thus making them ethically obligated to make the right decisions and evaluations. This essay will discuss the roles of psychologist as they work within the criminal justice system. I will Identify and describe the psychologists’ roles within the criminal justice system as it pertains to the applied scientist, the basic scientist, the policy evaluator, and the advocate.

Furthermore, there can be several factors at play when a wrongful conviction occurs and each case is unique. Three of the more common and detrimental factors that will be explored in this essay are eyewitness error, the use of jailhouse informants and professional and institutional misconduct. Firstly, eyewitness testimony can be a major contributor to a conviction and is an important factor in wrongful conviction (Campbell & Denov, 2016, p. 227). Witness recall and, frankly, the human emory are not as reliable as previously thought. In fact there has been much research showing the problems with eyewitness testimony such as suggestive police interviewing, unconscious transference, and malleability of confidence (Campbell & Denov, 2016, p.227).

A comparison between the Due process model and crime control model Within the criminal justice system, there are two competing models: the crime control model and the due process model. These two models were constructed by Robert Packer and each represents a particular school of thought. In managing crime, there is the individual i.e. the suspect and there is the society. The due process model is seen to focus on the suspect whereas the crime control model focuses on the society. This paper analyzes these two models and based on the rate of crime in the society, makes recommendations as to which is the best model in criminal justice.

Although, this tactic does not always work, it can cause some problems. Officers are supposed to use the tactic when there is a suspected criminal, but if it turns out there is no criminal it can cause many problems. Officers do not need to persuade the innocent because then the cops are just creating crime witch is the opposite of what they are supposed to do. The main point of this article is that it wants to make the structure and the frame work of the entrapment system clearer and more precise. The article identifies ways to make entrapment more stable and clearer.

“Courts have permitted the interrogators to tell the suspect that if he confesses his conscience will be comforted or they will inform the suspect’s cooperation to the court” (Richard 2008). It is unethical to promise and give hope to the suspect that will not be met in order to obtain a voluntary confession which are induced. During interrogation someone may walk in and hide his identity like being a police officer, while acting like someone else and promise the suspect that he or she is here to help and they are in good hands. Doing this is violating the rights of the suspect and should be taken into consideration, because it inflicts the mind of a suspect. If the suspect is going to confess it should be voluntary not being forced to “voluntary