Key Points, Patterns, and Trends
The main points, patterns, and trends arising from the book chapter are the following elements. First of all, Chapter 3 examines certain methods and strategies for the competent interrogation of suspects by law enforcement agencies. The book’s authors attempt a deep and detailed immersion in research regarding the interrogation process and its means. In fact, these tools allow the police to achieve the desired result. Ultimately, the real criminal can repent and confess to the crimes committed. However, the opposite effect may occur altogether – an innocent person gives false testimony about imperfect actions.
There, Costanzo and Krauss cite existing facts, evidence, and assumptions about the quality of work and activities of police officers in the role of interrogators. The writers, together with readers, analyze the events, experiments conducted by several specialists, and phenomena that have occurred within the framework of statistical data and scientific concepts. Chapter 3 of the book is not only replete with data collected from reliable sources of information but also expresses the opinion of the authors of this publication regarding some aspects. It gives useful tips and recommendations, as well as identifies the positive and negative sides of a particular method concerning specific situations.
Interrogation is one of the critically important methods of conducting investigations within the framework of the law and the rights of citizens. Accordingly, the interrogation room should be the place where human rights should be respected and balanced in one way or another (Costanzo & Krauss, 2021). To date, there are many different tools for influencing potential criminals that need to be carefully studied and monitored. Within the current realities, sociologists continue to work on these difficulties in identifying true information and minimizing the frequency of false testimony.
Application of The Chapter’s Information
Firstly, the main idea and thought conveyed in Chapter 3 can be applied to psychological issues as follows. Its communicative side is of particular importance in ensuring the interrogation’s success – the general psychological atmosphere of the investigative action is favorable for communication and the presence of psychological contact. An interrogation is a specific form of communication in which a psychological aspect occurs both in cooperation and confrontation. Accordingly, the methods and techniques presented in the chapter are directly or indirectly based on a psychological concept and idea. Therefore, this information will be useful when a law enforcement officer needs to find a common language with a suspect, “discover” ways to overcome interpersonal barriers and get the necessary information to solve the case. Within the framework of psychological issues, inspectors will be able to determine the procedure for conducting an investigative action in strict accordance with the criminal procedure law.
Having the necessary psychological knowledge, skills, and abilities, interrogators will also provide the most effective form of obtaining information from the interrogated person. If one does not focus on these concepts in an interrogation, then the results of law enforcement activities may deteriorate significantly. Competent establishment of psychological contact creates a favorable psychological atmosphere of investigative action, in which the interrogated person is internally and mentally configured to participate in the dialogue. A potential criminal listens to an inspector and perceives the arguments and the evidence presented, even in a conflict situation when a person intends to hide the truth, give false testimony, and prevent the truth from being established. Moreover, mental influence is carried out within the framework outlined by the Criminal Procedure Law.
Secondly, the information contained in one of the book’s chapters is also widely distributed to the problems and obstacles of the legal system in the following way. The information, situations, and evidence-based data presented in this excerpt from the book are constructed not only from the point of view of psychology but also from criminal law, legislation, legal realization, and legal culture. Hence, Chapter 3 helps formulate an idea of the legal nature and purpose of interrogation, its place in the system of other procedural actions, and the structure of criminal procedural evidence. The tactics, strategies, and methods of interrogation presented here also help to highlight the procedural order of various types of interrogation to identify possible options and directions for the development and improvement of this institution of criminal procedural law. Actually, the use of tactical techniques must fully comply with the criminal procedure law, the principles of morality, and the professional ethics requirements and be scientifically sound, logical, effective, and economical.
Analysis of the Chapter Information from a Christ-Centered Perspective
Nevertheless, the information contained in this chapter is, in one way or another, interconnected with Christian and Biblical motives, or in other words, with moral, ethical, and religious principles in a general sense. First of all, one of the essential elements of interrogation is the concept of “do no harm.” In turn, this phrase is based on quotations from the holy scriptures. For example, in the Bible, Matthew says: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (English standard version Bible). On the other hand, Leviticus also urges us to be more lenient towards people: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (English standard version Bible). Indeed, the Christian scriptures and teachings are not limited to a number of the phrases mentioned above but abound in many equally significant phrases and quotations about virtue and love for one’s neighbor.
Consequently, the procedure and interrogation conditions are supported not only by psychological aspects and the norms of the law. As one of the fundamental interrogations, the conversation is based on the Christian and Biblical ethical and moral principles of the professional activities of investigators and law enforcement agencies. Impeccable adherence to moral norms and basic biblical dogmas is the foundation for the moral content of the investigator’s relationship with the interrogated. An investigator bears personal moral responsibility for performing the tasks of the preliminary investigation and his or her professional duty. They should be subjective, fair, humane, and vigilant, and at the same time, must observe restraint, balance, and correctness in official communication.
According to research, a potential criminal is recognized almost immediately in case of low pressure from law enforcement agencies. Whereas high pressure, threats, and the pain experienced by the suspect from handcuffs do not guarantee high results, quick confessions, and high disclosure of official business (Costanzo & Krauss, 2021). In fact, interrogation methods based on the use of force and intimidation are not only morally reprehensible but also do not work. On the contrary, interrogation strategies and tactics based on cooperation and mutual understanding affect the quality of the result and high case resolution. The suspect, in some cases, thanks to friendly communication and a favorable environment, is ready to reveal his soul and mind to tell about the facts that he knows and guesses.
References
Costanzo, M., & Krauss, D. (2021). Chapter 3: Interrogations and confessions. In M. Costanzo & D. Krauss (Eds.), Forensic and legal psychology: Psychological science applied to the law (4th ed, pp. 59-86). Worth Publishers.
English standard version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. Web.