Interrogations-and-Confessions-Handbook

The Identification and Measurement of ‘Oppressive’ Police Interviewing Tactics 93
because of their limited presence). The suspect in this case was interviewed in
relation to two allegations of armed robbery. At the time of the interview he
was 23 years of age and two detective constables conducted the interviews. A
legal adviser was present throughout.
The opening sequence is composed of mainly closed questions, taken from
witness statements. The officers make selected use of this witness information
and embellish some of the detail. In tape 2 manipulation and intimidation are
the most popular tactics employed, with the latter almost reaching extreme
proportions. The manipulation tactics included inducements that the suspect
could have matters taken into consideration (TIC) by the courts which would
be advantageous to him—‘Now, that deal is on the table to you. . . .You know
there’s other things we can go into. . . .the more charges you have, the more
punishment you get. . . .Do you want charges or TIC’s?’ The officers also speculate
on the effect of the suspect’s behaviour to his wife and to his girlfriend.
A long intimidating sequence from both officers brings the tape to a close, in
which the suspect is constantly reminded of his family, the offer of TIC’s and
the extent of the fear and disruption caused to the victims of the robbery. As
the use of tactics increase in tape 2, the suspect can be heard sniffing and after
a consultation with his legal adviser he makes a confession.
One notable feature of this case was the presence of a number of very long
questioning sequences. In some instances the ‘question’ would extend well beyond
the five minute segment. This relentless onslaught (accompanied by raised
voices) may have been responsible for the deterioration in the suspect’s disposition,
evident towards the end of the second tape when he began to cry and
had ‘ . . . gone past caring’. The officers who continued talking (multiple officers,
multiple questions) displayed very poor listening skills and it is evident that
they were convinced of this person’s guilt. This was a very manipulative and
very intimidating interview. Two psychologists (defence and prosecution) were
in full agreement that the police in this case had resorted to the use of considerable
pressure and psychological manipulation, which distressed the suspect
greatly and seriously undermined the reliability of the confession. The interview
was ruled inadmissible and the defendant was acquitted.
One reason this interview has been illustrated is because (towards the end
of tape 2) the officers resort to nearly all the tactics that make up the factor
intimidation: indeed it was the degree and extent of this activity that led to
the title intimidation. Some selected extracts may help to demonstrate the
point:
Both the women in your life wonder if they are both being used by you...I’ve
offered you a deal. Offered you an incentive . . . are you going to take the risk of
lots and lots of charges?
All of a sudden, he [the victim] is confronted with three men. Two carrying knives
and one with a hammer. One holds a knife to his throat. Imagine the terror that
would be. Some people would shit themselves when that happens. Imagine the
absolute terror that must inflict on somebody . . . What about the guilt you must
feel for that?...There has got to be some shame in that, en’t there? Not you, sat
here feeling sorry for yourself just because your Missus has made a statement
against you.