PSY328H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Fundamental Attribution Error, Full Confession, Psych
Document Summary
High volumes of crimes reported (2m in 2012) Questioning of witnesses and suspects forms critical component of investigation process and often leads to conviction. Police strength not enough as 199 for 100k ppl vs 238 for 100k ppl in u. s. Expectations to high as officers expected to gather enough evidence and catch criminal quickly/cost-effectively. Leads/evidence uncovered through questioning witnesses and suspects often produce conviction police spend great deal of their investigation speaking to witnesses and suspects. If police believe someone is responsible (suspect and goal of questioning is to elicit confession) 39-48% make full confessions and 13-16 make damaging or partial admissions. Study of the impact confession had mock jurors read summaries of 4 types of criminal. Each trial had weak circumstantial evidence plus either a confession, an eye witness. Great weight of a confession kassin/neumann 97: trials (theft, assault, rape or murder) identification or character witness testimony.
