How Police Interrogation Works

people.howstuffworks.com — Getting someone to confess to a crime is not a simple task, and the fact that detectives sometimes end up with confessions from the innocent testifies to their expertise in psychological manipulation. No two interrogations are alike, but most exploit certain weaknesses in human nature. Mar 18, 2007 View in Crawl 4

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yunfat Mar 19, 2007

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It's the same thing with a DUI. If a cop asks you to get out of your car, and you are sober and you know it, just tell him to arrest you, because as soon as you get out of the car (even before) the cop is building his case against you. I got out of my car to perform a roadside sobriety test (which I passed) and the cop said I fell out of my car and couldn't speak. Lucky for me a friend was videotaping me, and the jury threw out the case, the video clearly showed I was sober. Same thing with a breathalizer, I have blown under the limit and still been arrested. My point, never talk to cops without representation, ever, never do anything they tell you, ever, all they are doing is trying to bust you. We live in a police state.I have never had a cop help me with anything, but I have been arrested 4 times, and 4 times either a judge or a jury threw out the case.

Closed Account Mar 19, 2007

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Schnell, I added you as a friend because I have a couple of questions for you.Right now, I'm a senior in high school waiting for college, but I've got a couple of concerns. My main interest lies in Law and International Business, so basically I'm planning on going into Corporate Law. I just have a few questions.1) Where did you go for your undergrad and how much in loans do you have if any? Right now, I'm accepted at U of Delaware, where I want to go, but I don't know if I'm going to be able to afford it.2) Where are you going for law and how difficult would you say it is?

fotbr Mar 19, 2007

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Actually, having been both a victim of a crime, and a victim of an overzealous officer with an attitude, neither time did the police actually help. In both instances, the person that did ALL the work towards getting things straightened out was my lawyer, not the police.I'm also one of the assh**es that expects the police to do their jobs WITHIN the law AT ALL TIMES. No exceptions whatsoever, even if that means a "bad guy" goes free. It is the price of liberty that occasionally people will get away with crime.And no, I'm not pissed at all police officers. Just the assh**es among you. The typical officer that pulls me over for speeding is just doing his job, as long as he treats me with respect I have no issue with him or the speeding ticket, which in all honesty should be higher than what he writes down.

garroth Mar 19, 2007

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@truegodofwar1 rule for when talking to cops during interrogation dont talk.

ndege Mar 19, 2007

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The "war" on terror will never end. That is simply the nature of this type of "war". The same can be said for the "war" on drugs. It will never end. The sad thing to realize is that we are in store for a great many more "wars" of a similar type. What was once simply a crime will become something greater. We will wage a "war" via the nations interstate highways on speeders. The government will declare a "war" on copyright infringement. What is [a true] war? As defined by dictionary.com: "a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation; warfare, as by land, sea, or air."Makes me sick. We are simply sheep.

the1kingarthur Mar 20, 2007

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@ Is there a SINGLE person that has posted so far that has been hating on police and knows what the hell they're talking about? Just one? Please? I think a BA, and over 30 years of research should qualify me as someone who knows what they are talking about.First to all those who recommend, suggest, or advise citizens to request an attorney before any interrogation. You are true American Heroes. Second it is not true that many of the people who made post here are police haters, or even promoting hate toward the police. The FACT is there is a growing abuse of Constitutional Rights in this country to the point that many elected officials and police agencies are fighting like hell to eliminate many of our Constitutional Rights. This is a FACT! Search the US Supreme Court Records, they're public record. These people don't hate the police; they're scared, and/or have witnessed such abuse first hand. That being said, if you think you can handle the truth, here it is. Most of YOUR statements are totally false and with out reference.False StatementThat bit about how putting someone away in jail generates cash for "them" is COMPLETELY false.FactThe Boston Strangler Case brought such an uproar that there was a demand for the resignation of several command officers, and the Police Commissioner. Abert DeSalvo was an escape goat, although he was a murderer, he was not the Boston Strangler. The case had to be solved, and solved quick, or some good old boys were going to loose their J-O-B-S. There are way too many links and books that prove this point that I do not want to waste the space here for them.The “Michigan Murders" aka The Ypsilanti Co-Ed murder case was one of the greatest fiascos in the history of criminal Investigation. The Washtenaw County Sheriff and the Ann Arbor City Police were DEMANDING jurisdiction of a murder that occurred in Wayne County Michigan (Jane Mixer). John Norman Collins was convicted of only one murder, and it was ASSUMED he committed the murder of Jane Mixer in Wayne County, but "In 2005 former nurse, 62 year old Gary Leiterman was tried and convicted of the killing of Jane Mixer. Leiterman came to the attention of authorities 35 years after the fact over a drop of blood found at the 1969 crime scene. A new Michigan law and current DNA testing led to Leiterman's arrest. A Michigan law going into effect in January of 2002 required felons to give DNA samples and Leiterman was convicted of forging narcotics prescriptions three short days after the law went into effect.<a class="user" href="http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/collins/body_1.html">http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/collins/body_1.html</a><a class="user" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_murders">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_murders</a>The “Boston Strangler Case” and the "Michigan Murders" fiasco not only allowed the escape of another possible serial killer, it may even have caused the death of several other victims in those cases. WHY? Funding and Power Hungry Police Agency Officials fighting to keep their J-O-B-S. None of the police agencies were willing to share ANY evidence with each other in a morbid attempt to maintain control. As far as they were concerned, they had their men; Albert DeSalvo and John Norman Collins and refused to look for any other possible suspects. Rather than suffer public scorned, and risk loosing any funding. They continued with their charade and put untold others at risk. By the way one thing about the "Michigan Murders" I WAS THERE AND KEPT A COMPLETE RECORD OF EVERYTHING THAT OCCURED.In Paintsville Kentucky is the Johnson County / Big Sandy Regional Detention Center which is in total control of two judges. Budget control, funding, salaries, inmate size, and final control of who is and who is not hired. Duh! Isn’t it the judges in the judicial system that sets the sentencing? This facility sets the rate in which other counties must pay for each inmate held. This rate was SO HIGH that other counties found it was more cost effective to build their OWN correctional system.Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, and several other states that have high unemployment have fought long and hard to bring prisons to their states. Of all the possible sources of employment they chose PRISONS! Why? They are very inexpensive to develop as opposed to say an automobile plant, or a high tech manufacturing facility. Little training required and tons of grant money available. Prisons are perfect for a community where a steel mill, or coal mine has closed and left thousands out of work who had worked all their lives, and which most never even graduated from high school. Cities like Ann Arbor Michigan have been sued for using ticket quotas. Even though they deny using ticket quotas, they always include an estimate for the funds developed from traffic and other non-felony violations in their city budget planning. Hhhmmmm is this to say that they are psychic and KNOW how many in their community is going to break the law? What would happen to city budgets across the nation if everyone obeyed the law? Would that mean they would have to raise taxes? Interesting question don’t you think?History by far is the greatest teacher of all. “That bit about how putting someone away in jail generates cash for "them" is COMPLETELY false.” MY GOD how ignorant can you be. Go to your local library, or hit the Internet and search for the terms “Prison Labor”, “Chain Gangs”, “Work Houses” and “Lobotomy” And if you think there is no such thing as Prison Labor today, you better think again.Some Prisons make money directly and profit untold thousands in bonuses, achievement awards, and advances in salary. Others use prisons data in city, state, and Federal Budget development. There are legitimate uses for all these numbers, dates, and money. Prison data, and the income they make are used to fund new law officers, new equipment, and new research. But to deny that “putting someone away in jail generates cash” is insane!False StatementFat salaries? What the hell are you talking about? Do you know what police officers make?FactThis is so way out there I will only say this. You don’t get out much do you? I ran for public office on two different occasions. Gave lectures, and spent half my life in the study of United States Government and History on all levels of local, state and Federal Levels. There are cities and towns across the nation where the highest paid government employees are Sheriffs, Police Captains, and Police Chiefs. Don’t believe me? Pack up and drive from New York to Los Angeles and take a salary survey if you have a strong heart that is. May we all Thank God this is not the way it is in the majority of Police Agencies.About the statement: “There are such things known as "judicial review", "oversight" and "internal affairs" that regulate and control corruption.”ONE WORD: Serpico<a class="user" href="http://www.frankserpico.com/">http://www.frankserpico.com/</a><a class="user" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpico">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpico</a>Look it up!In most states members of judicial review boards are the very people who you are complaining about. Meetings are held in secret, and no appeals are allowed.Internal affairs? What a joke. Police agencies in most states do not even have internal affairs. Any investigations against a police officer are handled by the DA’s office who by the way really does not want to anger any police officers in fear they will refuse to testify in an important hanging by a string cases.I think I have taken enough of everyone’s time here, and I could go on and on stating facts, figures, and reference points. The thing to remember here is our Constitutional Rights are at risk like never before, and until there is a major effort on the part of the Judges, District Attorneys, and Police agencies to clean up their mess. Everyone should demand an attorney before saying anything else PERIOD. I will go as far as saying NEVER TRAVEL ALONE. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM. Here are a few tips on keeping you and your family safe.Buy a video camera and micro cassette recorder. When being pulled over start the micro cassette recorder and NEVER NEVER ALLOW THE POLICE OFFICER TO KNOW YOU HAVE IT!When you are pulled over do not make sudden moves, reach for the dash board or other areas, and keep your hands on the wheel. ALWAYS ALWAYS SAY YES SIR, NO SIR, AND THNAK YOU SIR. On the road it is your word against them. Never give a macho unqualified idiot in a police uniform a reason to KILL YOU!Pay attention to your surroundings when driving. Look for and be aware of unmarked police cars and speed traps. Talk to your friends, neighbors, and family members about what areas are patrolled and set up as traps. Look at the speed limit signs. Speed traps use Speed Limit Signs that say “50 mph Ahead” in speed limits areas of 45 or less, but especially in 25 mph areas. Search “The Speed Trap Exchange” for your area, or areas you maybe traveling to. <a class="user" href="http://www.speedtrap.org/">http://www.speedtrap.org/</a>NEVER DRINK AND DRIVEALWAYS HAVE YOUR DRIVERS LICENSES ON YOU, AND YOUR AUTO REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE IN THE VECHICLE.IF YOU SUSPECT CORRUPTION, NEVER EVER GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. AND NOTIFY THE FBI WITH FACTS TIMES, DATES, AND NAMES. Feelings and assumptions ARE NOT EVEIDENCE.Develop and maintain a CYO “Cover Your Ass file”, and keep it in a safe deposit box with certified copies of your birth record, Social Security Card, and Drivers Licenses.

mofoker Mar 20, 2007

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Vic' Mackey american bad ass cop nuff said

hpsauce Mar 25, 2007

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Simple thing really; just think of interrogation as torture. Instead of thinking you have a choice, assume you don't. They will mentally, and though illegal, physically abuse you. You have no choice. Assume there is no end at all, let alone in sight. You HAVE to experience it all.Once you have that ideal ingrained into your mindset, you will never, ever submit to the cops.

daskio23 Mar 6, 2008