Criminal Psychology Chapter 11(b) False Confessions Talbot Kellogg Community College.

Criminal PsychologyCriminal Psychology

Chapter 11(b)Chapter 11(b)

False ConfessionsFalse Confessions

TalbotTalbot

Kellogg Community CollegeKellogg Community College

The Nature of False ConfessionsThe Nature of False Confessions Confession – An admission of guilt.Confession – An admission of guilt. False Confession – An admission of guilt by an innocent.False Confession – An admission of guilt by an innocent.

A Counterintuitive Human BehaviorA Counterintuitive Human Behavior

Saul KassinSaul Kassin No numbers available on prevalence.No numbers available on prevalence. 200 DNA exonerations for wrongful confessions200 DNA exonerations for wrongful confessions 45% of those saying they falsely confessed are telling the truth.45% of those saying they falsely confessed are telling the truth. 12% of prisoners, 10% high school students, 3 – 4% of college 12% of prisoners, 10% high school students, 3 – 4% of college

students admit to having falsely confessed to something.students admit to having falsely confessed to something. Perhaps the tip of the iceberg. (Some issues do not appear in Perhaps the tip of the iceberg. (Some issues do not appear in

the data)the data) Police and prosecutors reject some false confessions.Police and prosecutors reject some false confessions. Plea bargains.Plea bargains. Juvenile courts.Juvenile courts.

15 minutes of fame issues15 minutes of fame issues Lindberg babyLindberg baby

How new is this?

1692 Salem Witch Trials

Central Park Jogger CaseCentral Park Jogger Case

Patricia Meili - 1989Patricia Meili - 1989 Location of physical evidence.Location of physical evidence. The presence of accomplices.The presence of accomplices. Other details of the crime or related crimes.Other details of the crime or related crimes.

5 suspects caught and within 72 hours, 5 suspects caught and within 72 hours, all had given detailed confessions. The all had given detailed confessions. The teens--Antron McCray, Kevin teens--Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Kharey WiseSantana and Kharey Wise

Additional informationAdditional information

DNA was at the scene of the crime but DNA was at the scene of the crime but did not match any of the 5.did not match any of the 5.

Matteus Reyes (2002): Confessed from prison of Matteus Reyes (2002): Confessed from prison of the violent rape.the violent rape.

Identified details of the crime which had not been Identified details of the crime which had not been released to the public.released to the public.

Preserved DNA matched his own.Preserved DNA matched his own. He was in prison for raping 3 other women, and killing He was in prison for raping 3 other women, and killing

one after the 1989 investigation of the rape had one after the 1989 investigation of the rape had ended.ended.

What does Psychology tell us?What does Psychology tell us?

Milgram’s Obedience Milgram’s Obedience

Studyhttp://learningat.ke7.org.uk/socialsciences/Psychology/PsyRes13/Milgram.htmStudyhttp://learningat.ke7.org.uk/socialsciences/Psychology/PsyRes13/Milgram.htm

What breeds obedience?

Emotional distance of the victim Closeness and legitimacy of the

authority Institutional authority The liberating effects of group

influence

What does Psychology tell us?What does Psychology tell us?

Milgram’s Obedience StudyMilgram’s Obedience Study Self-Fulfilling ProphecySelf-Fulfilling Prophecy

What does Psychology tell us?What does Psychology tell us?

Milgram’s Obedience StudyMilgram’s Obedience Study Self-Fulfilling ProphecySelf-Fulfilling Prophecy Zimbardo’s Prison StudyZimbardo’s Prison Study

Stanford Prison Study

The issue of “Time”. The U.S. Supreme Court has never

limited the amount of time for interrogations.

What does Psychology tell us?What does Psychology tell us?

Milgram’s Obedience StudyMilgram’s Obedience Study Self-Fulfilling ProphecySelf-Fulfilling Prophecy Zimbardo’s Prison StudyZimbardo’s Prison Study Loftus work on false memoriesLoftus work on false memories

Confessions become realityConfessions become reality

The interviewThe interview

What gets someone interviewed? A belief of guilt.

How good are we at detecting deception? College Students 52.82 Polygrapher 55.67 Psychiatrists 57.61 Secret Service 64.12

Training to improve the accuracy of detecting Training to improve the accuracy of detecting deception within the interview.deception within the interview.

Reid TechniqueKassin & Forge (1999)

Condition Laypeople Reid Training

Police Detectives

Accuracy Confidence

55% 5.9 46% 6.5 50% 7.05

Reaction Time Tests

Confess Internalize Confabulate

Kassim & Kiechal

No Witness SLOW

FAST 35% 65% 0 12% - -

WitnessSLOWFAST 89% 100% 44% 65% 6% 35%

Case Study

Marty Tankleff 17 years old The crime The interview Tactics Result

1990 – 50 years to life. Other issues

CBS

Studies of Innocence

Often waive their Miranda rights More open and forthcoming Give more plausible denials which

trigger harsher tactics The Innocence – Confession paradox

Bluff of DNA evidence.

Innocents don’t confess! 2003 – Glen Harris, Peter Kent,

Joseph Creedon