False Confessions Empirical Research

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Pages: 4

False confessions, often resulting from coercion, psychological pressure, or misunderstanding, pose significant challenges to the justice system's pursuit of truth and fairness. More specifically, compliant false confessions result in a confession of a crime not committed for reasons such as interrogation tactics, biases, and coercion. Research demonstrates that police interrogations that involve tactics that manipulate, coerce and pressure individuals can result in them falsely confessing. In the case of Brendan Dassey, law enforcement engaged in interrogation tactics such as demonstrating sympathy, reassurance and engaging in minimization techniques. The use of these tactics could contribute to a false confession from Dassey. The consequences …show more content…
He examines various interrogation techniques used by law enforcement, such as coercion, leading questions, and manipulation, which can increase the likelihood of a false confession. Blair also discusses how individual differences play a role in this process. Factors such as personality traits, cognitive abilities, and weakness to social influence can impact how individuals perceive and react to interrogation tactics. For example, someone with low self-esteem or high levels of suggestibility may be more likely to make a false confession (Blair, 2007, p. 175). Furthermore, Blair explores how perception can be misled during interrogation, leading individuals to believe they are guilty even when they are not. This can be influenced by factors such as the length and intensity of questioning, the presence of false evidence, and the authority of the interrogator. Blair's research highlights the complex interaction between interrogation techniques, individual differences, and perception of false confessions, providing valuable insights for improving investigative procedures and preventing