Interrogations-and-Confessions-Handbook

The Psychological Assessment 331
as to the reliability of the self-incriminating statements, because this involves
a careful consideration of all the surrounding circumstances of the case.
The knowledge base for the psychological assessment of disputed confessions
is growing. Assessment procedures and tests have been developed and these
form an important part of the psychologist’s armoury. However, it is simplistic to
think that any one test or procedure will provide all the answers to an individual
case. Human behaviour is complex and often a careful consideration of all the
available material is required before firm conclusions can be drawn about the
reliability of the self-incriminating statements.
Psychological tests, like those that measure intellectual skills and interrogative
suggestibility, often provide important information about the strengths
and vulnerabilities of particular individuals, but these have to be interpreted
in conjunction with the other material available in the case. Considerable advance
has been made in recent years about the psychological aspects of disputed
confessions, but we still have a great deal more to learn.