Psychology of Confession and Interrogation- Online Course

This course explores the legal, psychological, and ethical aspects of confession and interrogation in Britain. It examines police interviewing tactics, the risks faced by vulnerable suspects, the psychology behind confessions, and factors leading to false confessions or miscarriages of justice.

English law defines a confession as any statement, oral or written, that suggests guilt. However, for it to be admissible in court, it must be given voluntarily without coercion. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) provides key safeguards against forced or misleading confessions.

Oppressive tactics include prolonged questioning, intimidation, sleep deprivation, deception, and undue pressure to confess. Such methods are prohibited under English law, but historical cases reveal instances where these tactics contributed to miscarriages of justice.