NCJ Number
14093
Date Published
1972
Length
397 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES USED IN QUESTIONING A VARIETY OF PERSONALITY TYPES, REQUIRED SKILLS OF AN INTERROGATOR, APPROPRIATE FORMS FOR CONFESSIONS, AND USE OF THE POLYGRAPH ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A NUMBER OF ABNORMAL AND NORMAL PERSONALITY TYPES ARE PRESENTED. THE INTERROGATOR'S KNOWLEDGE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN GENERAL AND THE PARTICULAR PSYCHOLOGY OF THE PERSON QUESTIONED IS STRESSED AS FUNDAMENTAL IN THE SELECTION OF THE TECHNIQUE EMPLOYED IN AN INTERROGATION. CREDIBILITY, EMPATHY, PERSERVERANCE, COMMUNICATION, AND DRAMATIC SKILLS ARE AMONG THE TRAITS DISCUSSED AS IMPORTANT FOR AN INTERROGATOR. AMONG COURT CASES DISCUSSED, SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE ESCOBEDO AND MIRANDA DECISIONS AS THEY PRESCRIBE LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE INTERROGATION METHODS. PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS EVIDENCED WHEN A PERSON LIES ARE DESCRIBED. THE STRUCTURE OF THE FINAL FORM FOR A CONFESSION IS TREATED. THERE IS A SHORT DISCUSSION OF THE USEFULNESS OF A POLYGRAPH TEST.