False Confessions: A Case Study

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False confessions can be broken down into two categories, internalized and compliant confessions (Blair, 2005). The main difference between the two comes down to the suspect’s own belief in their guilt. If the suspect begins to believe they could have, or had to have committed the crime, the false confession is internalized. If the suspect still believes in their innocence, yet confesses for short term benefits, it is complaint. (Blair, 2005)
Internalized Confessions Internalized confessions can appear voluntary and in a traditional sense are not coerced (Chapman, 2013). Suspect’s beliefs are altered, and they come to believe that they have committed the crime, even if they have no memory of doing such (Chapman, 2013; Follete et al., 2007).
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Research shows that there are two major factors that appear to be associated with the elicitation of false confession, the implementation of psychologically manipulative interrogation techniques and individual characteristic differences that lead to vulnerability (Narchet et al., 2011). Techniques that can lead to manipulation include persistent questioning, lengthy detention, misrepresentation of other evidence or unintentional leaking of information to suspect; these techniques used on a suspect that is vulnerable, due to immaturity or mental capacity, can increase the likelihood that a false confession is obtained (Dixon, …show more content…
During an interrogation, the suspect must exert considerable self-control, including control of attention and cognitive processes so they can evaluate incoming information and recall relevant personal information (Follete et al., 2007). Suspects with mental illnesses may display behavior that are consistent with deception during an interview, such as signs of anxiety or lack of eye contact. Such individuals have tendencies to respond to immediate impulses rather than thinking of long term goals, have difficulty controlling emotions, thoughts and behavior, and are more suggestible (Follete et al., 2007). The probability of arrest is 67 times higher for those with symptoms of a mental illness, and their disabilities make them more susceptible to coercion (Follete, 2007). Juveniles are at the same risk for involuntary and false confessions, as they are psychologically and cognitively immature (Kassin et al., 2010). Immaturity surfaces in impulsive decision making, the decreased ability to consider long term consequences, risky behavior and an increase in the susceptibility to negative influence, which is also true for those with mental disabilities (Kassin et al., 2010). Both of these groups, the mentally disabled and

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