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False Confessions: Causes, Consequences & Solutions. Richard Leo, Ph.D., J.D. Associate Professor University of San Francisco School of Law (415) 661-0162 Email: rleo@uci.edu. 1 st Part of Talk: Overview. How do we know that false confessions are a problem?
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False Confessions: Causes, Consequences & Solutions Richard Leo, Ph.D., J.D. Associate Professor University of San Francisco School of Law (415) 661-0162 Email: rleo@uci.edu
1st Part of Talk: Overview • How do we know that false confessions are a problem? • Why do the innocent falsely confess? • What are the consequences of false confession?
Pathways to False Confession • 1st: The Misclassification Error • 2nd: The Coercion Error • 3rd: The Contamination Error
2nd Part of Talk: A Closer Look • The Psychology of Police Interrogation and False Confession • The Decision to Interrogate • The Two Step Process of Interrogation • The Psychology of Compliance & Persuasion • Risk Factors • Minimizing and Preventing False Confessions: Possible Reforms
Reforms: Electronic Recording • The Problem of “Misleading Specialized Knowledge” • Case Studies: • 1) Earl Washington • 2) Bruce Godschalk
Other Possible Reforms • Improve Police Interrogation Training and Practice • Hold Pre-Trial Reliability Hearings • Limit/Prohibit Certain Interrogation Tactics • Cautionary Jury Instructions