The interrogator-suspect dynamic in custodial interrogations in Sweden: An application of the interrogation taxonomy framework

• Purpose: This archival study was the first in Sweden, and the first outside of the U.S. and the U.K., to apply the Kelly et al. (2013) taxonomy of interrogation methods framework to repeated police interrogations of adult suspects in high-stakes crimes. Method: Audio/video recordings (N = 19) were collected from the Swedish Police Authority of repeated interrogations of three suspects in three criminal cases. The interaction between interrogators and suspects were scored according to the taxonomy framework (Kelly et al., 2013; 2016). Results: First, there was an association between the use of different domains. Rapport and relationship building was moderately and negatively associated with confrontation/competition and presentation of evidence. Moreover, confrontation/ competition was moderately and positively related to emotion provocation and presentation of evidence. Second, changes were observed during the interrogations. Presentation of evidence was lower in the beginning than in the middle block. Suspect cooperation was higher in the beginning than both the middle and end blocks. Third, an ordered logistic regression showed that rapport and relationship building were associated with increased suspect cooperation, and confrontation/competition and presentation of evidence were associated with decreased cooperation. Conclusions: The study’s results are mostly in line with other taxonomy studies on high-stakes crimes from the U.S. and the U.K. The findings are discussed in light of theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and current police practice. We also highlight the need for further research.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Juridik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Law (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Tillämpad psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Applied Psychology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

police interrogations

suspect cooperation

interrogation taxonomy

archival study

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)