Abstract
This study sought to shed light on the interrogation process through analysis of 44 video-recorded police interrogations of suspects in criminal cases. Results showed that, on average, interrogators used 34% of the components composing the nine-step Reid model of interrogation. Approximately 27% of the interrogations met Leo's criteria for a coercive interrogation; minimization tactics were observed slightly more than maximization tactics; and most interrogations followed the guidelines, suggestions, and themes endorsed by Inbau, Reid, Buckley, and Jayne. In addition, confessions were positively associated with the proportion of core Reid components, the number of influence tactics, and the number of coercive strategies observed. Confessions were not associated with the number of discouraged denials but were positively associated with the number of alternative questions provided. The implications of these findings for interrogation practices and research are discussed.
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