NCJ Number
135831
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 23-40
Date Published
1992
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A random sample of 1,067 cases from 9 metropolitan police stations in England was studied in 1989 to determine the relationship between a suspect's characteristics and case and the suspect's decision to admit or deny having committed an offense.
Abstract
Each suspect was interviewed by a police detective. Information regarding the interviews was gathered by questionnaires. The variables included the interviewer's perception of the strength of evidence against the suspect, the interviewer's perception of the offense seriousness, the offense type, the suspect's age and sex, the suspect's criminal history, and the suspect's use of legal advice. Results showed that 42 percent of the suspects made admissions during police questioning. In addition, the decision to admit an allegation during questioning was associated mainly with three factors: (1) the strength of the evidence, (2) legal advice, and (3) the suspect's criminal history. Finally, the questioning techniques appeared to have little or no effect on the suspect's decision to admit an offense. Tables and 12 references