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- Denault, Vincent, et al.
(author)
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The Analysis of Nonverbal Communication: The Dangers of Pseudoscience in Security and Justice Contexts : Análisis de la comunicación no verbal: los peligros de la pseudociencia en entornos de seguridad y justicia
- 2020
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In: Anuario de Psicología Jurídica. - : Colegio Oficial de la Psicologia de Madrid. - 1133-0740 .- 2174-0542. ; 30:1, s. 1-12
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For security and justice professionals (e.g., police officers, lawyers, judges), the thousands of peer-reviewed articles on nonverbal communication represent important sources of knowledge. However, despite the scope of the scientific work carried out on this subject, professionals can turn to programs, methods, and approaches that fail to reflect the state of science. The objective of this article is to examine (i) concepts of nonverbal communication conveyed by these programs, methods, and approaches, but also (ii) the consequences of their use (e.g., on the life or liberty of individuals). To achieve this objective, we describe the scope of scientific research on nonverbal communication. A program (SPOT; Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques), a method (the BAI; Behavior Analysis Interview) and an approach (synergology) that each run counter to the state of science are examined. Finally, we outline five hypotheses to explain why some organizations in the fields of security and justice are turning to pseudoscience and pseudoscientific techniques. We conclude the article by inviting these organizations to work with the international community of scholars who have scientific expertise in nonverbal communication and lie (and truth) detection to implement evidence-based practices.
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| 2. |
- Schell-Leugers, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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Police Suspect Interviewing: A Self-Report Survey of Police Practices and Beliefs in Europe
- 2019
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In: The 12th Annual Conference of the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group (iIIRG), Stavern, Norway.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- On a daily basis, thousands of suspects all around the world are interviewed. While police detectives are trying to find out whether a suspect has been involved in a crime, suspects often feel intimidated during an interrogation, especially those who are innocent. In recent years, the detection of wrongful convictions in America, often with DNA evidence, has highlighted the impact of coercive interrogation techniques on innocent suspects. However, police interrogations are vital to the process of solving crimes and serving justice. To get a better picture in how far common police practices can play a role in wrongful convictions, Kassin and colleagues (2007) surveyed 631 North American police investigators to examine their interrogation beliefs and practices. They constructed a questionnaire in which the participants, were asked to report on six topics: deception detection, Miranda warnings, interrogation techniques, interviews and interrogations, confession rates, and the recording of interrogations. The findings from this survey gave insight into what happens in North American interrogation rooms. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the beliefs and practices of European police investigators. It is important to note that many European countries operate under an inquisitorial legal system and that suspect interviews have shifted from a more accusatorial towards an information gathering approach in recent years. Furthermore, the Salduz ruling resulted in reformed procedures concerning legal assistance during interrogations, which may had an impact on interrogation practices as well. However, little is known about what actually happens in interrogations in Europe. In an effort to better understand how experienced investigators in different European countries approach the processes of interviewing and interrogation, we are seeking to replicate the self-report survey of North American police practices and beliefs by Kassin and colleagues (2007). We are employing an adapted version of their instrument, covering investigators’ beliefs and practices about 1) their ability to detect truth and deception, 2) suspects’ willingness to talk to the police, 3) the use of various interrogation techniques, 4) the frequency and length of interviews and interrogations, 5) the rates of true and false confessions, and 6) their own practices and opinions with regard to the recording of interrogations and confessions. Our goal is to explore and compare police practices and beliefs in six European countries (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden), and to compare – where possible - the data collected in this sample to those previously obtained in North America. The potential benefits of the study are important for questions pertaining to investigators’ self-reported interrogation practices, beliefs and perceptions. We believe that the potential benefit of the proposed research is substantial. It will aid to gain knowledge about common practices used by investigators and the results might help with reforming certain police practices.
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