Playing the Interrogation Game: Rapport, Coercion, and Confessions in Police Interrogations. Issue 1 (16th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: David, Gary C.; Rawls, Anne Warfield; Trainum, James
• Is Part Of: Symbolic interaction. Volume 41:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2017-07-16
• Subjects: interrogation -- policing -- conversation analysis -- trust; Symbolic interactionism -- Periodicals; Interactionnisme symbolique -- Périodiques; 302
• DOI: 10.1002/symb.317
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6086

Abstract

Abstract : The United States is having an "interrogation moment, " where increasing attention is being paid to what happens when suspects are questioned by the police. The manner in which confessions are secured can go directly to a society's sense of justice and fairness, as nowhere are positions of power and vulnerability so pronounced as in the interrogation room. This paper contributes to our understanding of police interrogation through discussing what we refer to as playing the interrogation game . We explore how rapport‐building helps to create a sense of collaboration between suspect and police. However, once a suspect agrees to answer questions and waives Miranda rights, the game changes. The new game can be more adversarial, aiming for the suspect to give a confession usable toward prosecution. We discuss how police, by knowing and shaping the rules of the interrogation game, have an advantage in the game which makes it very difficult for the suspect to win. Finally, we propose a number of recommendations that could foster a better balance in playing the game. A video abstract is available athttps://tinyurl.com/ycqvp94k Abstract : Video Abstract