NCJ Number
102261
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1985) Pages: 129-151
Date Published
1985
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews current laws bearing upon police interrogations in England, Scotland, the United States, and Australia.
Abstract
Laws and procedures in England bear upon interview procedures; the treatment of persons in custody; the recording of interviews and statements; the questioning of children, persons with mental disorders, and deaf persons; the use of interpreters; and the charging of persons in custody. This report outlines procedures used by the Metropolitan Police (Greater London) to obtain confessions and admissions and presents a sample record of an interview from the Metropolitan Police. Scottish law pertains to three stages of interrogation: before the police have reasonable cause to suspect anyone, after the police have reasonable cause to suspect a person, and after a person has been charged. Normal methods of obtaining admissions and confessions are outlined for the Strathclyde police (Glasgow). Relevant U.S. law bears on the 'picking up' of suspects, confession voluntariness, warnings and waiver of constitutional rights, and permissible interrogation tactics and techniques. The content of a course on interrogation techniques presented at Reid College (Illinois) is also included. Interrogation procedures specified by the Chicago and Los Angeles police departments are provided, along with interrogation procedures used by the FBI. Australian law addresses admissibility provisions for confessional evidence.