Introduction
The Reid system of interrogation and interviewing is particularly used in U.S. crime departments. In the Reid method, an accusatory process is used where the suspect is told that the results of interrogation indicate they stand guilty. The Reid technique comprises factual analysis, interviewing, and interrogation. The interrogation in Reid may seek information that the respondent can freely give, such as crime witnesses and the information the respondent does not want to disclose. Proponents of Reid’s investigation suggest it is very effective in gaining intelligence from an unwillingness to confess suspects. However, if used by the wrong people, such as juveniles and the mentally impaired, the Reid system risks the probability of false confessions. The Reid system is a psychological tool applied in law to detect the sincerity of suspects but is challenged by false confessions.
Components of the Reid Method
Factual analysis, behavior analysis interview, and interrogation are the three constituents of Reid’s interrogation. A factual analysis is used where the investigator has gathered information to know about each suspect. Based on biosocial statuses such as occupation, marital status, gender, and ethnicity the investigator determines the probability of guilt or innocence in factual analysis (Chen, 2021). Moreover, before and after the criminal behavior of the suspects is used to formulate circumstantial evidence. Interviews are used to analyze suspects’ behavior in Reid’s interrogations. ‘Structured behavior provoking’ is a non-accusatory method of asking questions that evoke verbal and nonverbal behaviors that may indicate innocence or guilt.
The interrogator first asks normal background questions to evaluate the suspects’ standard verbal and nonverbal behaviors. A behavior analysis interview is a non-accusatory technique only used to identify the suspects’ truthfulness and deceptiveness. Positive confrontation, theme development, handling denials, overcoming objections, procurement and retention of attention, handling passive mood, presenting an alternative question, having the suspect narrate the various details of the offense, and converting a written confession to an oral admission is the steps of Reid interrogation (Constanzo, 2021). Interrogation is the final aspect of the Reid technique that is applied if the factual analysis and behavioral analysis interview is indicting.
The Advantages and Shortcomings of the Reid Method
Reid system is beneficial to investigators by discerning when a suspect is honest or lying. Judgments to distinguish between truth and deception are challenging; hence investigators leverage the Reid technique. Reid techniques have been marked as the most effective method of producing suspects’ confessions. Deception can affect court rulings when used in the presentation of circumstantial evidence. However, critics argue that the Reid technique is coercive and can lead to false confessions. The presumptive guilt nature experimented on in behavior analysis interviews creates room for reciprocal observations between the interrogator and the suspect, potentially creating guilt.
Application of the Reid Method in Psychology and the Legal System
The Reid approach uses psychological methods to determine guilt in law. No physical force is used to extract evidence and confessions from the suspect but rather psychological intelligence. The Judeo-Christian tradition recognizes confession as the acknowledgment of wrongdoing either publicly or privately necessary to obtain divine judgment. The probability of false confessions challenges the application of the Reid technique (Chen, 2021). A biblical perspective defines false confession as an involuntary confession of guilt that affects judgment. The Kinesic Interview method is the trending alternative that serves a similar purpose as the Reid approach.
Conclusion
Investigators and police officers use the Reid system to determine the sincerity of the suspects. Factual analysis, behavior analysis interview, and interrogation are the components of a Reid interrogation. Distinguishing truthful and deceitful confessions during challenging investigations is vital for fair conviction. Nevertheless, the prospects of false confession in Reid’s interrogations are high, making the system incompetent. The Kinesic Interview method is the trend in lie detection and interrogation.
Reference
Constanzo. (2021). Forensic and legal psychology: Psychological science applied to law. Worth Publisher Inc, U. S. Web.