Effective Interrogation Techniques
Effective Interrogation Techniques by Law Enforcement
Prof. Lisa Bruno
CRJ 320
November 5, 2012
Interrogation describes the art of convincing an individual to give up information that is perceived to be withheld. Interrogation is commonly employed by law enforcement professionals on suspects from whom information and details pertaining the crimes they are accused of is sought. Interrogations are interviews with a basic goal of establishing a purposeful exchange to obtain information from a target, often perceived aggressive and antagonistic by many (Heuback, 2009).
Interrogation has proven to be an effective means of seeking information since it involves giving a suspect an opportunity to express him or herself to prove their innocence. The suspects, however, should be informed of their rights and the consequences based on the information they provide. Failure to this, any information acquired from a suspect is regarded as inadmissible as evidence in a court of law. The United States constitution provides a legal standard into how interrogations are conducted through rights such as the presence of counsel and right against self-incrimination. Despite the measures put to guide interrogation procedures, interrogation techniques have evolved from establishing a rapport with the suspect to outright torture. However, effective interrogation techniques should obtain the required information while preserving the rights of the suspect.
Most of the 19th century was marred by use of interrogation techniques that exerted brutal force on their subjects while leaving no physical evidence (Alexander, 2011). Although such techniques were not legal in most states, they were permitted, and this say suspects subjected to conditions meant to make them uncomfortable and divulge information. The suspects would be kept in isolation, deprived of food and water, and at times beaten using rubber hoses, which would not leave any permanent marks.
However, in 1937, the US
Prof. Lisa Bruno
CRJ 320
November 5, 2012
Interrogation describes the art of convincing an individual to give up information that is perceived to be withheld. Interrogation is commonly employed by law enforcement professionals on suspects from whom information and details pertaining the crimes they are accused of is sought. Interrogations are interviews with a basic goal of establishing a purposeful exchange to obtain information from a target, often perceived aggressive and antagonistic by many (Heuback, 2009).
Interrogation has proven to be an effective means of seeking information since it involves giving a suspect an opportunity to express him or herself to prove their innocence. The suspects, however, should be informed of their rights and the consequences based on the information they provide. Failure to this, any information acquired from a suspect is regarded as inadmissible as evidence in a court of law. The United States constitution provides a legal standard into how interrogations are conducted through rights such as the presence of counsel and right against self-incrimination. Despite the measures put to guide interrogation procedures, interrogation techniques have evolved from establishing a rapport with the suspect to outright torture. However, effective interrogation techniques should obtain the required information while preserving the rights of the suspect.
Most of the 19th century was marred by use of interrogation techniques that exerted brutal force on their subjects while leaving no physical evidence (Alexander, 2011). Although such techniques were not legal in most states, they were permitted, and this say suspects subjected to conditions meant to make them uncomfortable and divulge information. The suspects would be kept in isolation, deprived of food and water, and at times beaten using rubber hoses, which would not leave any permanent marks.
However, in 1937, the US
References: Alexander, P. (2011). A Brief History of U.S. Police Interrogation. Retrieved from http://suite101.com/article/a-brief-history-of-us-police-interrogation-a327152 Heuback, J. (2009). Suspect Interrogation: Communication Strategies and Key Personality Constructs. Retrieved from http://www.k-state.edu/actr/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/heuback-thesis_final_120709-editedpdf.pdf Malinowski, T. (2008). Restoring Moral Authority: Ending Torture, Secret Detention, and the Prison at Guantanamo Bay. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/40375781.pdf?acceptTC=true Mount, S. (2010). The Miranda Warning. Retrieved from http://www.usconstitution.net/miranda.html The White House. (2009). Executive Order 13491Ensuring Lawful Interrogations. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/EnsuringLawfulInterrogations