Question 1

When did "scientific jury selection" begin?
A)1940s
B)1960s
C)1970s
D)1980s

Accepted Answer

Scientific jury selection, also known as behavioral jury selection, originated in the 1970s. It involves using empirical social science techniques to analyze potential jurors and predict how they might vote based on their demographics, attitudes, and past experiences.

Question 2

Identify which type of false confession occurred in the Paul Ingram case.Were any of the techniques used to elicit his confession illegal?

Accepted Answer

In the Paul Ingram case, a coerced-internalized false confession occurred. This type of false confession occurs when the individual comes to believe that they have committed the crime, often due to intense interrogation and pressure from law enforcement.

Some of the techniques used to elicit Paul Ingram's confession were highly controversial and could be considered unethical, but not necessarily illegal. These techniques included lengthy and intense interrogations, suggestive questioning, and the use of religious beliefs and guilt to manipulate his confession. While these tactics may not have been illegal at the time, they have since been widely criticized for their potential to lead to false confessions.

Question 3

What is a general guideline to decide if an interrogation method is acceptable? Using this guideline,should current police practices be modified?

Accepted Answer

A general guideline to decide if an interrogation method is acceptable is to ensure that it adheres to legal standards, ethical principles, and respects the rights and dignity of the individual being interrogated. The method should not involve any form of torture, inhumane or degrading treatment, and should comply with the principles of due process. Here are some key points to consider:

1. **Legality**: The method must be within the bounds of the law, following national legislation and international human rights law, such as the United Nations Convention against Torture.

2. **Ethical Conduct**: Interrogators should conduct themselves ethically, respecting the suspect's rights and maintaining professional integrity.

3. **Voluntariness**: Any information or confession obtained should be the result of the individual's free will, without the use of coercion, threats, or deceit.

4. **Safety and Dignity**: The physical and mental well-being of the person should be protected. The methods should not inflict harm or pain, and the dignity of the individual should be preserved.

5. **Reliability**: The methods used should yield reliable and accurate information. Techniques that are likely to produce false confessions or unreliable information should be avoided.

6. **Accountability**: There should be mechanisms in place to ensure accountability for the actions of law enforcement officials, with clear procedures for reporting and investigating any misconduct.

Using this guideline, it is possible that certain current police practices may need to be modified. For instance, if a practice involves aggressive or deceptive interrogation techniques that could lead to false confessions or violate the suspect's rights, it would not be considered acceptable. Practices such as prolonged detention without charge, denying access to legal counsel, or using physical force would also be deemed inappropriate and should be revised.

In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny of police practices, and many law enforcement agencies have been working to improve their interrogation techniques. This includes adopting evidence-based practices like the PEACE model (Preparation and Planning, Engage and Explain, Account, Closure, and Evaluate), which focuses on open-ended questioning and building rapport rather than confrontation.

Ultimately, any modification to police practices should be guided by the latest research, legal standards, and a commitment to upholding human rights. Continuous training and education for law enforcement officials on acceptable interrogation methods are essential to ensure that their practices remain effective, legal, and ethical.

Question 4

Describe the role a forensic psychologist can play for each of the following clienteles: police departments,courts,and society.

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Question 5

How has your opinion of interrogation techniques,confessions,and court decisions changed as a result of reading Chapter 11?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

What has been the Supreme Court's position on the use of deception by police during interrogations?

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Question 7

How does the fundamental attribution error affect jurors' reactions to confessions?

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Question 8

The majority of cases in which trial consultants are used are
A)criminal trials.
B)capital trials.
C)civil trials.
D)international trials.

Accepted Answer

Trial consultants are primarily used in civil trials as they assist attorneys in choosing jurors, developing trial strategies, preparing witnesses, and presenting evidence. While they may also be used in criminal or capital cases, the majority of their work is in civil litigation.

Question 9

Why are the results of compliance studies such as those by Milgram and by Asch relevant to interrogations and confessions?

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Question 10

What was the underlying conclusion in the findings of Kassin and Kiechel's 1996 study which had students engage in a computer task?

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Question 11

What types of assumptions have the courts made in determining what interrogation techniques are acceptable?

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Question 12

Describe the contents of police manuals on interrogation.

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Question 13

Since false confessions and convictions occur,is it necessary to rethink the punishment we assign? Is the death penalty too big a risk in light of the possibility of false confessions?

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Question 14

Discuss the John Karr case and identify which type of false confession he made.What might have been his motivations?

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Question 15

Which of the following was listed in Chapter 12 as a reason why "trial consultants" may be better thought of as " litigation consultants"?
A)Because of lack of certification,the term 'trial consultant' may be misleading to the public.
B)The increasing addition of social scientists to the field has expanded duties beyond simply consulting at the trial.
C)Attorneys may be reluctant to hire 'trial consultants' because they feel that they do not need help with the actual trial portion of the case.
D)People see the name 'trial consultant' and attach negative connotations.

Accepted Answer

Chapter 12 states that the field of trial consulting has expanded beyond just providing advice for the trial itself, and now includes tasks such as pretrial research and witness preparation. Therefore, the term "litigation consultant" better reflects the wider range of services offered by these professionals. The other options do not adequately capture the reasoning presented in the chapter.

Question 16

Several court cases on confessions and interrogations were presented in Chapter 11.Select three and comment on the court's decision and why it was or was not the correct one in your opinion.

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Question 17

Speculate why a gender difference was found in the survey in Chapter 11 about willingness to confess to a crime that one did not commit.

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Question 18

Evaluate the technique of misleading suspects,a method than can bring forth both true and false confessions.Should this technique be legal?

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Question 19

How many states currently license or certify trial consultants?
A)0
B)8
C)23
D)All 50

Accepted Answer

Currently, no state licenses or certifies trial consultants. There are no nationally recognized certification programs either, but organizations like the American Society of Trial Consultants offer professional development and promote ethical standards in the field.

Question 20

Discuss the findings of the Kassin et al.(2007) study on police self-reports of interrogation techniques.What kinds of techniques do police most frequently use? Are they accurate in their confidence to detect deception?

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Quiz 11: Interrogations and Confessions

When did "scientific jury selection" begin?