The accusatorial and the information-gathering approaches to suspect interviewing are both macro-level interrogation models, despite them sharing this model there are more differences between the two than commonalities. The accusatorial approach to suspect interviewing is deemed a ‘guilt-presumptive model’ whereby methods of questioning and psychological manipulation are used to obtain confessions. It is suggested that this approach is commonly used in the United States of America. In contrast, the information-gathering approach, which is more commonly used in the United Kingdom, focuses on gathering information through open-ended methods of questioning rather than obtaining confessions through manipulation. This approach is based on scientific evidence and highlights an importance in rapport building between the interviewer and the suspect.  

I was unable to find research on this technique for some reason? I searched, but all papers I looked at were critical reviews/book chapters. I have taken something from those though to try and answer the question 😊  

The Reid Technique appears to oppose most of the recommendations for successful interviewing; it is not empirically supported, there is a strong emphasis on interrogating the suspect if the interviewer believes they are not being honest, and it allows the interviewer to exaggerate the amount(s) of evidence that the police have in order to try and elicit confessions (Oxburgh et al., 2011). This technique focuses on body language, however it has been suggested that individuals being able to correctly detect deception from non-verbal cues is not as strong as it may appear (Hood & Hoffman, 2019). This form of interviewing is not commonplace in the United Kingdom due to the levels of deception involved (Gudjonsson, 2012). Moreover, this has the potential to explain why in the United States of America the wrongful conviction rate is so high (3200 in 2019; Possley et al., 2022).  

Walsh and Bull (2010) conducted research that compared interviewing skills against interviewing outcomes, specifically seeking to understand if following the PEACE model when interviewing alters the outcome. Findings demonstrate that when following the PEACE model in suspect interviewing the outcomes are more effective. Additionally, those who exceed in the preparation and planning stage of the model generally see better results and are somewhat more likely to obtain a confession. This highlights the positive contributions being made by the PEACE model, especially since previous criticisms in police interviewing including a lack of preparation (Clarke & Milne, 2001).  

Paper: Walsh, D., & Bull, R. (2010). What really is effective in interviews with suspects? A study comparing interviewing skills against interviewing outcomes. Legal And Criminological Psychology, 15(2), 305-321. DOI:10.1348/135532509X463356  

 

The Reid Technique is predominately used within the United States, following a guilt-presumptive nine-step method utilising coercion and deceit to prompt confessions (Spierer, 2017). Spierer (2017) study highlighted using the Reid Technique is particularly problematic among juvenile suspects – leading to high rates of false confessions resulting from coercive interrogation tactics, ultimately leading to an increase in wrongful convictions. 

 

The PEACE Model is made up of five stages of managing the process of an interview: Preparation and Planning; Engage and Explain; Account, Clarification, Challenge; Closure; and Evaluation (Snook et al., 2014). The PEACE model is a non-accusatory, information-gathering approach to investigative interviewing and is the most efficient practice and is suitable for any interviewee – interviewers are encouraged to be fair and open-minded (Snook et al., 2014). Though, it is crucial that the model is continuously monitored to ensure development. Implications of the PEACE Model demonstrated that officers trained in the method used more engage and explain behaviours to gain information, rather than coercive tactics (Barron, 2017). Trained interviewers were found to use more open-ended questions, more clarifications, and fewer leading questions – leading to a decrease in false confessions and wrongful convictions (Barron, 2017). 

The accusatorial method is a guilt-presumptive model, which uses confrontational strategies and psychological manipulation to evoke confessions from the suspect (Kassin et al., 2010). An example of this model is the Reid Technique, which consists of 2 phases – the interview and the interrogation (Inbau et al., 2013). The initial phase relies on behavioural cues to detect deceit in suspects, whereas the interrogation relies on confronting the suspect with the primary goal of gaining a confession (Meissner et al., 2014). Due to the nature of this method, electronic recording of interrogations are sometimes obstructed by law enforcement (Miller et al., 2018).

On the other hand, the information-gathering approach is based on scientific principles, and aims to establish rapport between the interviewer and the suspect to elicit information, rather than a confession (Walsh et al., 2016). As opposed to the accusatory approach, this technique relies on open questions and actively refrains from the use of psychological manipulation (Miller et al., 2018). The standard model of interviewing suspects in England and Wales is the PEACE method, which integrates Conversation Management and the Cognitive Interview. In addition to this, videotaping police-suspect interactions is often recommend or mandated (Schollum, 2005).

2. To be finished! :)

The Reid Technique is a guilt-presumptive, nine-step method whereby interrogators use coercion and deceit to extract confessions, regardless of the costs. When used with juvenile suspects, this method becomes all the more problematic, in that the integration of the psychological manipulation techniques and the vulnerabilities/susceptibility of children has led to an unacceptably high rate of false confessions amongst juvenile suspects. This is because the Reid Technique is founded on the belief that a suspect will not confess unless it is in their best interest to do so, meaning interrogators seek to frame confessing as the suspect’s best option – a framing, of which, children are particularly vulnerable to. This is particularly problematic when considering that confessions are crucial in the criminal justice system, in that an addition of a false confession to a steam of evidence is likely to result in the conviction of an innocent person (95) and the freedom of a guilty person. Juveniles often do not realise that such long-lasting consequences may follow, and such, may suffer from detrimental effects to their wellbeing.

PEACE Model 

PEACE is a five-stage model used to interview suspects and witnesses in England and Wales (Walsh & Bull, 2010). The structure lends itself to allow individuals to discuss the incident and to seek their version of what occurred (Walsh & Bull, 2010). Research into the effectiveness of the PEACE model has been conducted; findings suggest that police officers need adequate training and practice in all elements of the model to ensure effective interviews are conducted (Archer & Ellison, 2023). Neal (2019) also noted that the PEACE model was the most reliable of 3 different techniques (the Reid Technique, Cognitive Interview and the PEACE model), enabling police officers to gather testimonies in great detail without having to diminish the statements’ accuracy. However, the main issues with the PEACE model are the overall lack of research on it’s effectiveness (both in general, and when used with vulnerable groups), as well as a requirement for copious amounts of training, which may discourage police officers to adopt this method of interviewing (Neal, 2019).