BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE PERTINENT TO ILLEGAL
FBI INTERROGATION AND PSYOPS
"COERCIVE PERSUASION"
The phenomenon of coercive persuasion was first identified by Schein, Schneir and Barker of the Center for International Studies of MIT in 1961. It was based on research which began in 1953 on Korean War Military and Civilian POW’s of the Chinese Communists.
In 1956, primarily as a result of these American POW experiences, the United States ratified changes to the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of Prisoners of War which state in Article 17;
"No physical or mental torture or other form of coercion may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatsoever."
TERMS USED TO IDENTIFY THE PHENOMENON
- SELECTED QUOTES -
Criminal Interrogation confessions
(inbau, reid & Buckley - 1986)
introduction
"MOREOVER, IN MOST INSTANCES THESE INTERROGATIONS, PARTICULARLY OF THE SUSPECT, MUST BE CONDUCTED UNDER CONDITIONS OF PRIVACY AND FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. THEY ALSO FREQUENTLY REQUIRE THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES THAT COULD WELL BE CLASSIFIED AS UNETHICAL".
"WE ARE OPPOSED, THEREFORE, TO THE USE OF FORCE, THREATS OF FORCE, OR PROMISES OF LENIENCY - ANY ONE OF WHICH MIGHT WELL INDUCE AN INNOCENT PERSON TO CONFESS".
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"THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE AND INFLUENTIAL POLICE INTERROGATION MANUAL IS THE ONE WRITTEN BY INBAU, REID & BUCKLEY" - G. GUDJONSSON - 1986 * |
*REF U.S. SUPREME COURT - MIRANDA
"IN DEALING WITH CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, AND CONSEQUENTLY ALSO WITH CRIMINAL SUSPECTS WHO MAY ACTUALLY BE INNOCENT, THE INTERROGATOR MUST OF NECESSITY, EMPLOY LESS REFINED METHODS THAN ARE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR THE TRANSACTION OF ORDINARY, EVERYDAY AFFAIRS BY AND BETWEEN LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS" ... "ALTHOUGH BOTH FAIR AND UNFAIR INTERROGATION PRACTICES ARE PERMISSIBLE, NOTHING SHALL BE DONE OR SAID TO THE SUSPECT THAT WILL BE APT TO MAKE AN INNOCENT PERSON CONFESS"
TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES
SUGGESTIONS FOR SETTING UP THE INTERROGATION ROOM "THERE SHOULD BE AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF PROTECTION AGAINST ANY ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE."
"IN A WINDOWLESS ROOM WITH NO AIR CONDITIONER."
"REMOVE LOCKS AND OTHER PHYSICAL IMPEDIMENTS . . . THERE SHOULD BE NO LOCK ON THE DOOR OF AN INTERROGATION ROOM, NOR SHOULD THERE BE ANY OTHER PHYSICAL IMPEDIMENT TO AN EXIT BY THE SUSPECT IF HE OR SHE DESIRES TO LEAVE THE BUILDING ITSELF. THIS WILL AVOID ANY CLAIMS OF FALSE IMPEDIMENT."
"REMOVE ALL DISTRACTIONS"
"SET-UP AN OBSERVATION ROOM . . . ADJOINING THE INTERROGATION ROOM . . ."
"REDUCE THE SUSPECT'S FEELING OF GUILT BY MINIMIZING MORAL SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENSE."
"APPEAL TO THE SUSPECT'S PRIDE BY WELL-SELECTED FLATTERY."
"IN THE EVENT A CUSTODIAL CONFESSOR INFORMS THE INTERROGATOR THAT HE DOES NOT WISH TO MAKE OR SIGN THE STATEMENT OR THAT A LAWYER IS WANTED, THE INTERROGATOR MUST CEASE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONING OR RECORDING."
"MIRANDA'S RULES ONLY APPLY TO CUSTODIAL SUSPECTS."
"WHENEVER THE POLICE DESIRE TO PICK UP ANYONE FOR QUESTIONING, BUT PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST IS LACKING, THEY SHOULD MAKE CLEAR TO THE SUSPECT THAT HE IS NOT BEING ARRESTED AND NEED NOT GO TO THE POLICE STATION UNLESS HE IS WILLING TO DO SO, AND THAT ONCE THERE, HE WILL BE FREE TO LEAVE IF HE WISHES."
CRIMINAL INTERROGATIONS TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES
"MINDFUL OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERROGATE A SUSPECT MUST BE LAWFULLY OBTAINED; THAT THERE MUST BE AVOIDANCE OF FORCE, THREAT OF FORCE, OR PROMISE OF LENIENCY, AND THAT THERE MUST BE COMPLIANCE FOR WARNINGS OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO CUSTODIAL SUSPECTS . . ."
"THE TRICKERY OR DECEIT MUST NOT BE OF SUCH A NATURE AS TO SHOCK THE CONSCIENCE OF THE COURT OR THE COMMUNITY, NOR CAN IT BE ONE THAT IS APT TO INDUCE A FALSE CONFESSION."
WARNINGS OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND THE
ATTENDING RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INTERROGATOR
"IF THE SUSPECT INDICATES, AT ANY TIME OR IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER, THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO TALK, THE INTERROGATOR MUST CEASE. THE INTERROGATOR IS NOT PERMITTED TO "TALK HIM OUT OF" HIS REFUSAL TO TALK."
"AND IF THE SUSPECT SAYS AT ANY TIME THAT HE WANTS A LAWYER, THE INTERROGATION MUST CEASE UNTIL HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONFER WITH ONE. THE INTERROGATOR CANNOT "TALK HIM OUT OF HIS DESIRE FOR A LAWYER."
"THE ONLY TIME A POLICE INTERROGATION MAY BE CONDUCTED OF A SUSPECT WHO IS IN CUSTODY OR OTHERWISE RESTRAINED OF HIS FREEDOM IS AFTER HE HAS RECEIVED THE REQUIRED WARNINGS AND AFTER HE HAS INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS."
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE POLICE WHEN PROCURING
THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT AN INTERROGATION
" . . . UNLESS THE POLICE HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE ARREST, THEY HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHT TO RESORT TO A "PICK-UP" IN ORDER TO INTERROGATE A SUSPECT."
"THE SUPREME COURT ALSO DECREED (IN MIRANDA) THAT IN ADDITION TO THE SELF-INCRIMINATION WARNING ITSELF, THE SUSPECT MUST BE ADVISED THAT HE HAS A RIGHT TO COUNSEL BEFORE AND DURING INTERROGATION."
"CONSEQUENTLY ALL PERSONS IN CUSTODY OR OTHERWISE DEPRIVED OF THEIR FREEDOM, MUST BE ADVISED OF THEIR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, AND MOREOVER, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY BE MADE AWARE OF THAT PRIVILEGE, THEY SHOULD ALSO BE TOLD THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE A LAWYER PRESENT BEFORE AND DURING THE INTERROGATION."
THE MEANING OF CUSTODY
"CUSTODY . . . DEPRIVATION OF FREEDOM IN ANY SIGNIFICANT WAY"
"DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU'RE HERE? AS A RULE, SUCH QUESTIONS ARE VIEWED BY THE COURTS AND LIKELY TO ELICIT INCRIMINATING ANSWERS, AND THEREFORE THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO FALL WITHIN THE PROHIBITION OF MIRANDA WHEN ASKED OF A CUSTODIAL SUSPECT, AND WHEN THEY WERE NOT PRECEDED BY THE WARNINGS AND A WAIVER."
PROMISES
"AS WITH THREATS, ALTHOUGH TO A LESSER DEGREE, A PROMISE OF LENIENCY MAY HAVE THE EFFECT OF INDUCING AN INNOCENT PERSON TO CONFESS."
"WHAT IS PROHIBITED . . . A PROMISE THAT COOPERATION WILL AID THE DEFENSE OR RESULT IN A LESSER SENTENCE BEING IMPOSED."
"YOU'RE NOT THE REAL TARGET, IF YOU WILL JUST HELP THESE GUYS, YOU'LL GET DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, PROBATION, COMMUNITY SERVICE, OR MAYBE NOTHING!"
LANCE CARRINGTON, NASA-IG AGENT STATED,
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"NOW THIS IS NOT A PROMISE, BUT WE WILL BE THERE WITH YOU IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE". |
EXPERT OPINIONS - THE PSYCHIATRIC IMPACT OF COERCIVE PERSUASION CP)
(DR. MARGARET THALER SINGER)
"THOUGHT REFORM IS THE SYSTEMATIC APPLICATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL INFLUENCE TECHNIQUES IN AN ORGANIZED, PROGRAMMATIC WAY WITHIN A CONSTRUCTED AND MANAGED ENVIRONMENT."
DSSM IV CITES THOUGHT REFORM AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO DISSOCIATIVE DISORDER - NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.
". . . ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL PROCESSES THAT DO NOT DEPEND ON PHYSICAL COERCION."
". . . PROGRAMS ARE SOPHISTICATED, SUBTLE, AND INSIDIOUS, CREATING A PSYCHOLOGICAL BOND THAT IN MANY WAYS IS FAR MORE POWERFUL THAN GUN-AT-THE-HEAD METHODS OF INFLUENCE."
". . . PROGRAM DOES NOT REQUIRE PHYSICAL CONFINEMENT."
"THE RECENT UPHOLDING OF THOUGHT REFORM IN DSM-IV, IS BUT ONE MORE PIECE OF EVIDENCE THAT THIS ORCHESTRATED PROCESS OF Exploitive PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION IS REAL AND RECOGNIZED WITHIN THE PROFESSIONAL PSYCHIATRIC FIELD."
"SUCH PROGRAMS CAN AND REGULARLY DO PRODUCE PSYCHIATRIC CASUALTIES."
". . . BY INDUCING EXTREME ANXIETY AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. "
". . .GOAL WAS TO HOLD THE SUBJECT AT THE POINT OF MAXIMUM STRESS WITHOUT INDUCING PSYCHOSIS."
". . . POSE PSYCHOLOGICAL RISKS TO SUBJECTS BECAUSE OF THE SOPHISTICATION OF THE INFLUENCE TACTICS EMPLOYED."
". . . TO DESTABILIZE A PERSON’S SENSE OF SELF AND TO INDUCE ANXIETY AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS."
". . . INCORPORATE THE INDUCTION OF COGNITIVE CONFUSION."
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TECHNIQUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND INTERPERSONAL MANIPULATION"SIX CONDITIONS:
THE SUBJECT IS FORCED TO ADAPT IN A SERIES OF STEPS, EACH SUFFICIENTLY MINOR SO THAT THE SUBJECT DOES NOT NOTICE . . . AND DOES NOT BECOME AWARE OF THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM UNTIL LATE IN PROCESS (IF EVER)
". . . MANY EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT DEGREES AND DURATIONS OF DISTRESS, DISABILITY, AND DYSFUNCTION FOLLOWING SUCH PROGRAMS"
"ANALYSIS PRESENTED HERE IS BASED ON OBSERVATIONS MADE SINCE 1972 WITH OVER 3,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THOUGHT REFORM PROGRAMS." |
INDUCED PSYCHOPATHOLOGIES
THESE INCLUDE ANXIETY COMBINED WITH COGNITIVE INEFFICIENCIES SUCH AS DIFFICULTY IN CONCENTRATION, INABILITY TO FOCUS, AND MAINTAIN ATTENTION, AND IMPAIRED MEMORY, SELF-MUTILATION, PHOBIAS, SUICIDE, AND HOMICIDE, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING PHYSICAL CONDITIONS, SUCH AS STROKES, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTIONS, UNEXPECTED DEATHS, RECURRENCE OF PEPTIC ULCERS, ASTHMA, ETC." THOUGHT REFORM PROGRAMS AND THE PRODUCTION OF PSYCHIATRIC CASUALTIES. PSYCHIATRIC ANNALS, APRIL 1990 BY MARGARET THALER SINGER, Ph.D. AND RICHARD OFSHE, Ph.D.
UNITED STATES VS. LEE 455 U.S. (1982)
THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT FOUND THAT "WHEN A PERSON IS SUBJECTED TO COERCIVE PERSUASION (CP) WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT . . . (HE MAY) DEVELOP SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES IRREVERSIBLE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS UP TO AND INCLUDING SCHIZOPHRENIA, SELF MUTATION, AND SUICIDE."
HUMAN EXPERIMENTS - NUREMBERG CODE OF ETHICS
"IMPERMISSIBLE EXPERIMENTS:
MARGARET THALER SINGER, Ph.D.
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HUMAN EXPERIMENTATION PROHIBITED |
PROGRAM CASUALTIES
FARBER, ET AL 1956
"IT IS PROBABLY REASONABLE TO DESCRIBE ALL TARGETS OF THESE PROGRAMS AS:
HINKLE AND WOLF 1956
"THERE IS GENERAL RECOGNITION OF THE ABILITY OF ALL VERSIONS OF THE INFLUENCE PROCEDURES TO INDUCE PERSONAL CONFUSION, DISORIENTATION, AND VARIOUS DESCRIBED PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES IN TARGETS."
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"NEITHER PHYSICAL ABUSE NOR DEPRIVATION WAS NECESSARY FOR THE INFLUENCE PROCESS TO CAUSE PSYCHIATRIC CASUALTIES." |
SEQUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURES (LIFTON)
THE BREAKING POINT, (TOTAL CONFLICT AND BASIC FEAR)
(FELON)
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INTERROGATION, CONFESSIONS & TESTIMONY
BY DR. G. GUDJONNSON - 1993
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERT IN FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, HEAD OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, MAUDSLEY AND BETHLEHEM ROYAL HOSPITALS, SENIOR LECTURER AT THE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. DR. GUDJONNSON SERVED AS A DETECTIVE WITH THE ICELAND CID, AND CURRENTLY ACTS REGULARLY AS A CONSULTANT TO POLICE FORCES IN ENGLAND.
RE. EMOTIONAL EVENTS (P. 68)
"SUSPECTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING BEREAVEMENT AT THE TIME OF THEIR ARREST ARE LIKELY TO BE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. FOR EXAMPLE, MOST SUSPECTS WOULD FIND DIFFICULTY IN COPING WITH BEING INTERROGATED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A CLOSE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER."
CHAPTER 3 INTERROGATION TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES
"ZIMBARDO ARGUES THAT THE TECHNIQUES RECOMMENDED IN POLICE MANUALS ARE PSYCHOLOGICALLY SOPHISTICATED AND COERCIVE. HE GOES SO FAR AS TO SUGGEST THAT THEY ARE AN INFRINGEMENT OF THE SUSPECT'S DIGNITY AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, AND MAY RESULT IN FALSE CONFESSIONS."
"EVEN WITH MARKEDLY IMPROVED LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR DETAINESS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO THINK OF ANY CUSTODIAL INTERROGATION THAT IS NOT POTENTIALLY "COERCIVE". INDEED, IT IS RECOGNIZED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THAT ALL CUSTODIAL INTERROGATIONS ARE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT "INHERENTLY COERCIVE".
"A STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE AT A POLICE STATION MAY RESULT IN A PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY."
"PROJECTS RESEARCHING THE EFFECTS OF THE HISTORIC DECISION IN MIRANDA V. ARIZONA INDICATE THAT INTERROGATIONS MAY BE SO STRESSFUL TO MOST SUSPECTS THAT IT IMPAIRS THEIR ABILITY TO EXERCISE THEIR POWERS OR JUDGMENT AND LEGAL RIGHTS . . . FURTHERMORE, ALL THREE STUDIES SHOWED POLICE INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES FOLLOWING MIRANDA ARE VERY SUBTLE AND PERSUASIVE AND GREATLY INFLUENCE THE DECISION OF SUSPECTS TO INCRIMINATE THEMSELVES."
THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE INTERROGATION
"THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PHYSICAL FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH POLICE INTERROGATION AND CONFINEMENT ENVIRONMENT THAT CAN HAVE MAJOR EFFECTS ON THE WAY SUSPECTS REACT TO POLICE INTERROGATION. . . VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT CAN BE DELIBERATELY ARRANGED TO MAXIMIZE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE SUSPECT WILL CONFESS."
"AN EXCELLENT EXPERIMENTAL ILLUSTRATION OF THE POWERFUL EMOTIONAL REACTIONS OF NORMAL AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS TO CUSTODIAL CONFINEMENT IS SEEN IN THE CLASSIC STUDY OF HANEY, BANKS, AND ZIMBARDO (1973). THE STUDY HAD TO BE TERMINATED AFTER 6 DAYS BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE DISTRESS AND EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE OF ABOUT HALF OF THE PRISONERS. THIS WAS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT ALL OF THE SUBJECTS HAD BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED FOR THE STUDY BECAUSE OF THEIR EMOTIONAL STABILITY."
"THE TYPICAL REACTIONS OF THE ‘PRISONERS’ COMPRISED PASSIVITY, DEPENDENCY, DEPRESSION, HELPLESSNESS, AND SELF-DEPRECIATION."
"THE TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES RECOMMENDED IN POLICE INTERROGATION MANUALS (LIKE INBAU, REID, & BUCKLEY) ARE BASED ON PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES WHICH CAN BE IMMENSELY EFFECTIVE IN INFLUENCING THE BELIEFS AND DECISION-MAKING OF SUSPECTS DURING INTERROGATION."
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE TECHNIQUES ARE INHERENTLY COERCIVE IN THE SENSE THAT THEIR OBJECTIVE IS TO OVERCOME THE SUSPECT’S RESISTANCE AND WILL-POWER, NOT TO INCRIMINATE THEMSELVES. IN OTHER WORDS SUSPECTS ARE MANIPULATED AND PERSUADED TO CONFESS WHEN THEY WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE DONE SO."
"SOCIAL ISOLATION, SENSORY DEPRIVATION, FATIGUE, HUNGER, THE LACK OF SLEEP, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL PAIN, AND THREATS ARE ALL FACTORS THAT CAN POWERFULLY INFLUENCE THE DECISION MAKING OF SUSPECTS, AND THE RELIABILITY OF THEIR STATEMENTS. THESE FACTORS COMMONLY RESULT IN IMPAIRED JUDGMENT, MENTAL CONFUSION AND DISORIENTATION, AND INCREASED SUGGESTIBILITY. MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPOSED TO COERCIVE PROCEDURES WILL TALK AND USUALLY REVEAL SOME INFORMATION THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE REVEALED OTHERWISE"
(HINKLE, 1991, AND SHALLICE, 1974)
MAIN CONCLUSION (GUDJONSSON)
THE TACTICS RECOMMENDED IN POLICE INTERROGATION MANUALS ARE BASED ON PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES WHICH CAN BE IMMENSELY EFFECTIVE IN INFLUENCING THE BELIEFS AND DECISION MAKING OF SUSPECTS DURING INTERROGATION.
. . . INVOLVES MANIPULATING THEM INTO CONFESSIONS BY PLAYING ON THEIR VULNERABILITIES AND USING TRICKERY AND DECEIT. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE TECHNIQUES ARE INHERENTLY COERCIVE IN THE SENSE THAT THEIR OBJECTIVE IS TO OVERCOME THE SUSPECT’S RESISTANCE AND WILL POWER NOT TO INCRIMINATE THEMSELVES. IN OTHER WORDS, SUSPECTS AE MANIPULATED AND PERSUADED TO CONFESS WHEN THEY WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE DONE SO."
THE NINE STEPS FOR INTERROGATION OF ALLEGEDLY GUILTY SUSPECTS
(ALL USED IN LIGHTNING STRIKE)
"TO EASE THE SUSPECT INTO SOME KIND OF SELF-INCRIMINATING ADMISSION"
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"CAN LEAD TO FALSE CONFESSIONS . . . IF DETAILS OF THE CRIME HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE SUSPECT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERVIEW . . . IT THEN BECOMES VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH WHETHER OR NOT THE SUSPECT IS SIMPLY ECHOING THE EARLIER INFORMATION GIVEN TO HIM BY THE POLICE." |
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"ATTEMPT TO TAKE THEME DEVELOPMENT FAR BEYOND ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIMITS." "WHAT YOU DID WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE CRIMES I’VE COMMITTED FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT" H. FRANCIS "I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAD NO CHOICE" "IF YOU ONLY KNEW ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THE OTHERS HAVE DONE" L. CARRINGTON SIR, HANDSHAKES, "CONGRATULATIONS ON WORKING WITH US" "WE KNOW THAT YOU’RE REALLY A GOOD PERSON WHO MADE A BAD JUDGMENT."
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REPEATED DENIALS BY THE SUSPECT ARE SEEN AS BEING VERY UNDESIRABLE BECAUSE THEY GIVE THE SUSPECT A PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE. THEREFORE THEY MUST BE STOPPED BY THE INTERROGATOR. USE THE FRIENDLY-UNFRIENDLY OR MUTT & JEFF TECHNIQUE. |
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GUILTY SUSPECTS WILL MOVE FROM PLAIN DENIALS TO OBJECTIONS. HE IS NOW AT HIS LOWEST POINT AND THE INTERROGATOR NEEDS TO ACT QUICKLY IN ORDER NOT TO LOSE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE HE HAS GAINED. |
"BY PHYSICALLY MOVING CLOSER TO SUSPECT, TOUCHING THE SUSPECT GENTLY, MENTIONING THE SUSPECT’S FIRST NAME AND MAINTAINING GOOD EYE CONTACT. AS A RESULT OF THIS PLOY, A GUILTY SUSPECT BECOMES MORE ATTENTIVE TO THE INTERROGATOR’S SUGGESTIONS" |
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THE INTERROGATOR EXHIBITS SIGNS OF UNDERSTANDING AND SYMPATHY AND URGES THE SUSPECT TO TELL THE TRUTH. THE MAIN EMPHASIS SEEMS TO BE TO PLAY UPON THE SUSPECT’S POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES IN ORDER TO BREAK DOWN HIS RESIDUAL WEAKNESS. THE SUSPECT IS NOW READY FOR THE ALTERNATIVES IN STEP 7. |
"WE KNOW YOU’RE REALLY NOT A CRIMINAL -YOU JUST MADE A MISTAKE. HELP THESE GUYS TO CATCH THE "BIG FISH" AT JSC. |
THE SUSPECT IS PRESENTED WITH TWO POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES FOR THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIME - BOTH ALTERNATIVES ARE INCRIMINATING, BUT THEY ARE WORDED IN SUCH A WAY THAT ONE ALTERNATIVE ACTS AS A FACE-SAVING DEVICE WHILST THE OTHER IMPLIES SOME REPULSIVE OR CALLOUS MOTIVATION. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONING BEHIND THE ALTERNATIVE QUESTION PLOY, IS THAT "IT IS MUCH EASIER TO ADMIT A MISTAKE OR ANY KIND OF WRONGDOING, IF AT THE TIME OF THE ADMISSION, A PERSON IS PERMITTED TO EXPLAIN WHY IT WAS DONE. |
"IF YOU WILL COOPERATE WITH US, NO ONE WILL KNOW ABOUT THIS. YOU MAY BE WORKING FOR USE FOR YEARS. IF YOU DO A GOOD JOB YOU’LL GET PROBATION, DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, COMMUNITY SERVICE, OR MAYBE NOTHING." L. CARRINGTON Federal Agent |
"HAVING ACCEPTED ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES IN STEP 7 AND CONSEQUENTLY PROVIDING A FIRST SELF-INCRIMINATING ADMISSION. IN STEP 8 THE ADMISSION IS DEVELOPED INTO A FULL BLOWN CONFESSION WHICH PROVIDES DETAILS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE, MOTIVE, AND NATURE OF THE CRIMINAL ACT. |
NO CONFESSION SOUGHT TO COVER-UP THE WAREHOUSE TREATMENT. ADMISSION BY INDIRECT MEANS. |
THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE A SIGNED CONFESSION IS MUCH STRONGER LEGALLY THAN AN ORAL ONE. |
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS
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KOREAN POWs |
LIGHTNING STRIKE VICTIMS |
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ONE VICTIM HAS SUFFERED MULTIPLE STROKES AND OPEN-HEART SURGERY |