Authorities do not explain their police interrogation techniques before they question a suspect. The police interrogation system is intended to play on the suspect’s feelings. In a way, police interrogators are performers who may be allowed to lie and implement various mental traps to incite a confession. Most police interrogation efforts follow a similar path in order to gather information and obtain a confession, however interrogators need to be perceptive enough to recognize when they need to adjust their methods.
Encountering the suspect
Typically, interrogators begin by presenting some of the known facts of the case that may provide proof against the suspect. Interrogators may position the discussion as though they already have enough evidence to convict suspect. They try to make the suspect feel that lying will make the process more difficult and then work to convince the suspect that telling the truth will be easy.
Easing the suspect’s guard
In some cases, police may ignore the initial account of the events given by the suspect if they don’t believe it do be true. They may inform the suspect of what they “know” happened. They may minimize the supposed wrongdoing of the suspect for the moment, giving the suspect an opportunity to bounce in and justify his or her actions.
Quieting the suspect’s objections
If the suspect makes any complaints or objections, the police interrogators may quiet him or her with statements like, “You’ll get an opportunity to talk later, however at this moment you have to cooperate with us”. Of course, legal representation may be present if it is requested by the suspect.
Gaining the suspect’s trust
The interrogation could change to a friendlier, more casual tone. The police interrogator may sympathize with the suspect. They may offer a drink of water, a cigarette, or hint that admissions once in a while bring about a lighter sentence. They may pitch inquiries out of left field, seemingly irrelevant, asking if the suspect has been drinking or is suffering from despondency, et cetera.
The item here is to go ahead as a companion. The interrogator is seemingly trying to help the suspect through the difficult circumstance. This is additionally an extraordinary chance to play “good cop, bad cop”: if two officers are present, one officer may act furious and fretful with the suspect, and afterwards leave the room. This will give the “good cop” an opportunity to present a contrasting sensitivity.
Presenting the suspect choices
Another round of interrogating a subject will begin vigorously if previous actions yield no success. At this point, interrogators will offer two options to clarify the suspect’s activity. One portrays the suspect as a horrendous person and implies stiff penalties. The other may justify the suspect’s actions to make it sound like any wrongdoing was simply a “slip-up”, thereby allowing minimal penalties.
Obtaining the suspect’s admission
As soon as the suspect hints at the tiniest admission during any of the above strategies, more authorities may go into the room. This is on account of the fact that admissions convey more weight in court if there are more witnesses. The more the suspect begins to talk, the more evidence the police have against the suspect. The admission needs to be composed down, recorded on tape, and affirmed by witnesses.
Police interrogations is a complicated process. Interrogators must be critical thinkers able to quickly react to the situation. Each interrogation warrants a different combination of interrogation methods in order to quickly get suspects into custody and solidify evidence to be used in trial.