To raise more awareness on this sensitive subject, this paper is going to deal with how policemen carry out suspect interrogations in order to obtain a suspect’s confession. Special attention is dedicated to the so called ‘vulnerable suspects’, which should be treated with a lot of care and sensitivity while conducting police interviews. In reality, some interrogation methods used by the police include accusations and are coercive, which tends to force vulnerable suspects to confess to a crime he or she has never committed. The consequences an innocent suspect has to face due to a forced confession can be far-reaching and, in the worst case, deadly.
In order to go more into detail, the following main section is subdivided into two main parts. The first one serves as an introductory part in which the theoretical frame of this paper is to be constructed. At first, there will be some basic information on the field of forensic linguistics and its origins. This explanatory section will contain definition approaches of the discipline of forensic linguistics and furthermore point out when and how it first came up and how it has developed since then. In addition, the wide range this discipline covers will be examined in more detail. The second chapter in this section will give an overview of the development of police interviews regarding its early approaches until now. Furthermore, this paragraph will also deal with the methods used by policemen in order to make a suspect confess, the interrogation techniques. Particular attention will be payed to the so-called ‘third degree’ methods and the ‘Reid Technique’, as well as the arising problem of false confessions, which is going to be pointed out in the last point of the explanatory part.
The second part of the main section serves as a practical part in which the before explicated theoretical frame will be applied to a selected sample text. At first, this paper will exemplify the worst case result of forced confessions. Based on some of the most popular cases up until now, the very harmful or even deadly consequences of miscarriages of justice for the affected person will be demonstrated. In the first paragraph, the paper will give an overview of the Steven Avery Case. This highly controversial case is a textbook example for miscarriage of justice and therefore is center of the Netflix series Making a Murderer.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Dealing with vulnerable suspects in police interviews based on the Avery Case
2.1 Theoretical frame
2.1.1 Basics of Forensic Linguistics
2.1.2 The Origins of Forensic Linguistics
2.1.3 The Advancement of coercive police interviewing methods
2.1.4 The Reid Technique
2.2 Sample Text Analysis
2.2.1 The Avery Case
2.2.2 Analysis of Brendan Dassey’s Interrogation
3. Conclusion
4. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the dynamics of police interrogations, focusing on the vulnerability of specific suspects and the ethical implications of coercive questioning techniques. The primary objective is to analyze how interrogation methods, particularly the Reid Technique, can lead to forced or false confessions, using the case of Brendan Dassey as a practical case study to illustrate these dangers.
- Theoretical foundations of Forensic Linguistics
- Development and evolution of coercive police interviewing methods
- Mechanisms and ethical concerns regarding the Reid Technique
- The impact of psychological pressure on vulnerable suspects
- Analysis of specific interrogation transcripts in the Avery Case
Excerpt from the Publication
2.2.2 Analysis of Brendan Dassey’s Interrogation
Unfortunately, it would go beyond the scope of this paper to analyse a complete interrogation session. Therefore, it is not possible to show the use of all 9 steps of the Reid Technique. It is not possible, to conduct an interrogation using the Reid Technique from step one to step nine. The conducting officer needs to be aware of the suspect’s reactions and, if necessary, go back to a step already conducted. This procedure continues until a confession can be obtained. The following analysis is based on Dassey’s interrogation on May 13, 2006, starting with page 818 of the protocol.
[1] WIEGERT: Did you see him do it?
BRENDAN: Yeah.
WIEGERT: No, honestly, yes or no? Did ya see him do it? Don’t lie about it. If ya did, good. If ya didn’t, good. Did ya see him do that? (p. 818)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the legal and ethical framework regarding police interrogations and introduces the focus on vulnerable suspects.
2. Dealing with vulnerable suspects in police interviews based on the Avery Case: This main section explores the theoretical background of forensic linguistics and interrogation methods, followed by an analysis of the Avery case.
2.1 Theoretical frame: This section defines forensic linguistics, outlines its historical origins, details the evolution of coercive interviewing, and explains the Reid Technique.
2.1.1 Basics of Forensic Linguistics: This chapter outlines the multidisciplinary nature of forensic linguistics and its various sub-areas within the legal system.
2.1.2 The Origins of Forensic Linguistics: This chapter traces the development of the field from early concepts like "forensic English" to the landmark Evans Case.
2.1.3 The Advancement of coercive police interviewing methods: This chapter differentiates between various questioning techniques, emphasizing the transition from physical brutality to psychological coercion.
2.1.4 The Reid Technique: This chapter breaks down the nine steps of the Reid Technique and addresses the academic and practical criticism surrounding its use.
2.2 Sample Text Analysis: This section serves as the practical application of the theoretical framework, introducing the context of the Steven Avery case.
2.2.1 The Avery Case: This chapter summarizes the background of Steven Avery, his initial wrongful conviction, and the subsequent events leading to the interrogation of Brendan Dassey.
2.2.2 Analysis of Brendan Dassey’s Interrogation: This chapter evaluates specific transcript segments of Brendan Dassey’s interrogation to demonstrate the application of coercive techniques on a vulnerable suspect.
3. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that the justice system must rethink its reliance on coercive interrogation techniques, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals.
4. Bibliography: This section lists all sources, academic literature, and case documentation cited throughout the paper.
Keywords
Forensic Linguistics, Police Interrogation, Reid Technique, Vulnerable Suspects, Brendan Dassey, Steven Avery, False Confessions, Psychological Coercion, Criminal Justice, Interrogation Transcript, Legal Discourse, Miscarriage of Justice, Authorship Identification, Coercive Methods, Investigative Interviewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores how police interrogate criminal suspects, specifically examining the impact of coercive techniques on vulnerable individuals who may be prone to manipulation.
What are the central thematic areas covered in this work?
The themes include the history of forensic linguistics, the evolution of police interrogation methods from physical to psychological, and the ethical issues surrounding false confessions.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary goal is to demonstrate that standard coercive interrogation techniques, such as the Reid Technique, are inappropriate and dangerous when applied to vulnerable suspects with low IQ or developmental limitations.
Which scientific methods are employed in this analysis?
The research uses a descriptive analytical approach, combining a review of forensic linguistic theory with a qualitative analysis of specific interrogation transcripts from the Avery case.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the definition and history of forensic linguistics, the progression of police interrogation styles, the steps of the Reid Technique, and a case-based analysis of the interrogation of Brendan Dassey.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include Forensic Linguistics, Reid Technique, Coercion, False Confessions, Vulnerable Suspects, and Brendan Dassey.
How does the author characterize the interrogation of Brendan Dassey?
The author characterizes the interrogation as a textbook example of psychologically coercive pressure applied to a vulnerable juvenile, which led to a confession that contradicts the reality of the situation.
What specific criticism does the author raise against the Reid Technique?
The author criticizes the technique for being inherently confrontational and manipulative, arguing that its structure forces even innocent suspects to abandon denials under extreme psychological stress.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Ann-Kathrin Beckenbauer (Autor:in), 2016, Dealing with vulnerable suspects in police interviews, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/343173
