What happens when investigators become convinced of a suspect's guilt before the interview has even begun? And can psychological science help us distinguish between interviewing techniques that uncover reliable information and those that risk producing false confessions and miscarriages of justice?
Drawing on research in investigative psychology, international developments and practical experience from criminal investigations, this seminar explores the psychological, methodological and ethical challenges of suspect interviewing.
Particular attention will be given to how cognitive biases, organisational pressures and traditional interrogation practices can influence both investigators' decisions and suspects' responses. The seminar will examine how investigative interviewing offers an alternative approach, emphasising open-mindedness, rapport-building, systematic hypothesis testing and the careful evaluation of evidence.
Drawing on the internationally recognised Méndez Principles and the UN Manual on Investigative Interviewing, the presentation will also explore how science-based interviewing can improve investigative effectiveness while protecting fundamental human rights.
Combining research findings, practical examples and interactive reflections, the seminar invites participants to reconsider a fundamental question: Is the purpose of interviewing to obtain a confession, or to discover what actually happened?