Pros And Cons Of The Reid Technique

Reid vs. P.E.A.C.E. interrogation methods

The Reid technique focuses on two stages to achieve a confession; a fact-finding interview stage as well as the BAI (behavioral analysis interview), and the interrogation stage. The P.E.A.C.E. model on the other hand advantageously relies on four stages to induce a confession; The first being Preparation and planning, followed by, Engage and Explain, Account, Closure, and evaluation. Although Both methods are reasonably successful at getting confessions, because of the Reid technique’s highly persuasive questioning methods that lead to wrongful convictions, the P.E.A.C.E. method is what newer police forces are moving to as far as interviewing methods. [1]

As stated above, the Reid technique focuses

[2] Canadian Provincial Court Judge Mike Dinkel ruled in 2012 that “stripped to its bare essentials, the Reid technique is a guilt-presumptive, confrontational, psychologically manipulative procedure whose purpose is to extract a confession. [3] The interrogation method can be abused and can lead to falsely accusing suspects and mistreating suspects by feeding them lies about the quality and quantity of the evidence proving their guilt. Claims of evidence such as video or genetics, has the potential to cause innocent suspects to plead guilty when combined with promises of clemency or warning of harm. [4] In 2015, eight organizations including Reid & Associates settled with Juan Rivera, who in 1992, was convicted wrongfully the rape and murder of 11-year-old Holly Staker. Many pieces of evidence excluded Rivera, including DNA from the rape kit and the report from the electronic ankle monitor he was wearing at the time when awaiting trial for a non-violent burglary he was involved in previously. He however confessed after being interrogated by the police several days after taking two polygraph exams done by Reid &

model starts with the first stage, Preparation and Planning. During this stage, the interviewer looks at how any information gained from the current interview could be used to strengthen the ongoing investigation. Learning about the suspect and making a list on the objectives of the investigation are a necessity to conduct the interview. A timeline of events is erected relating to the offense that is under investigation and that timeline is used to develop a questioning plan based on the existing evidence. Following the first stage, the interviewer would then start the engage and explain stage. In this two part stage, the interviewer starts out by engaging the suspect by relaying to him/her how the interview will take place. In attempts to establish rapport, the interviewer will converse with subject by conducting themselves in a professional and personable manner. The interviewer makes sure that the suspect understands the reason and purpose for the interview, explaining also how the interview is expected to progress and stresses the ground rules and expectations of the interview. The third step then follows