Reform methods
Open questions, alternative hypotheses, information testing, and rapport without presuming guilt.
What is information-gathering?
Confrontation and asserted certainty of guilt. Control of setting, isolation, and repeated challenges to denials. Themes and choices that make admitting seem advantageous.
What are Reid Technique Mechanisms?
A false admission made without police pressure; possible motives vary.
What is Voluntary?
A guilt presumption, confrontation, efforts to overcome denials, and movement toward admission
What is accusatorial approach?
Emphasizes guilt, severe consequences, strength of evidence.
Increases fear or futility of denial.
What is Maximization?
The person knows they are innocent but confesses to escape pressure or gain an expected benefit.
What is coerced-compliant?
Preparation, engagement, open account, closure, evaluation
What is PEACE Model (UK)?
Sympathy, excuses, moral justifications.
May imply that confession brings leniency even without an explicit promise.
What is minimization?
The person comes to doubt memory or temporarily believes they may have committed the act
What is coerced-internalized?
Observers overattribute another person’s behavior to character or intent. They underweight the situation that produced the behavior
What is fundamental attribution error?
A fabricated eyewitness or test result can make denial feel pointless. Even innocent suspects may assume police have reliable proof.
What is false evidence?
The person confessing dominates attention. Situational pressure can seem less salient. Viewers rate confession less coercive.
What is suspected-focused video?
Innocent people may be more willing to talk and waive rights. They may assume officials will recognize their innocence. That openness can increase exposure to high-pressure questioning.
What is The paradox of innocence?
Sleep loss, distress, isolation, and uncertainty can amplify risk.
What is situational vulnerability?
Both suspect and interviewer are visible, making the interaction and pressure easier to evaluate.
What is equal-focused video?