NCJ Number
85650
Journal
British Journal of Law and Society Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (Summer 1981) Pages: 97-107
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This essay critiques the psychological research relied upon by the British Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure in adopting its position on police interrogation procedures.
Abstract
In addition to a review of psychological literature on interrogation, Barrie Irving and Linden Hilgendorf undertook a study that involved observing 76 interrogation interviews in Brighton police station, involving 60 suspects. They acknowledged that this small-scale study conducted by one participant-observer in one station could not provide rigorous statistical data. The Judges' Rules prescribe that only voluntary statements from defendants can be submitted to the courts, but Irving concluded that it was impossible to distinguish between voluntary and involuntary statements because of the psychological states of the suspects. Irving recommended that the distinction between voluntary and involuntary statements be abolished and new safeguards introduced. The Commission accepted this recommendation. Irving's study is useful in the development of hypotheses to be tested in future research. A particular issue that should be examined in future research is the impact on suspect statements of the interaction between the interrogating officer and the suspect. Fifty notes and references are listed.