After being interrogated, why would someone confess to a crime of ...

[kamilo84]

After being interrogated, why would someone confess to a crime of which they are innocent?
 
  a. Many suspects are poor and view prison as an easy way to get food and shelter.
  b. They recovered a memory that they had repressed.
  c. They become psychologically fatigued and confused.
  d. They are physically coerced.

Question 2

Describe why false confessions occur. If you knew that someone who was innocent was going to be questioned, what advice would you provide?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[bpool94]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: C

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Generally, false confessions happen after a suspect has been interrogated by police for hours. At this point the suspect is often psychologically fatigued and may be very confused. He or she may not know what to believe anymore. Knowing something about the possibility of this happening should be helpful. Being persuaded that one had done something worth confessing to could be less likely to happen. In addition, it would benefit the suspect to have a videotape of the entire interrogation that included both the interrogator and the suspect. This will allow the voluntary or involuntary nature of any comments or confessions to be determined.