1. Research 1 Mini Research Presentation: Police Interrogations and False Confessions Brandy Williams PSY610: Applied Social Psychology Instructor: Patricia Addesso April 14, 2016

2. Research 2 Research Question in Regards to Police Interrogation and False Confessions What effect does evidence have on a recanted, false confession during a jury trial, does the recanted false confession often lead to a conviction? Research Question:

3. Research 3 Hypothesis… Juries do not respond well in cases where a subject has confessed and withdrew the statement. The jury is more likely to believe the original confession. Juries form a belief based on the original confession which makes the trial bias. False confessions lead to convictions even if the subject recants the confession and there is no concrete evidence such as DNA linking the subject to the crime.

4. Research 4 Point and Necessity of Research Importance of Research Necessity of Research Prevent wrongful imprisonment Prevent retrial cost to citizens Convict actual criminals Prevent wrongful imprisonment law suits against counties and states Reduce cost to Citizens to cover unnecessary trials Prevent negative impacts on families of individuals wrongfully convicted, as well as the individual. Provide justice to victims Shed light on actual impact of false confessions and coercions Prevent repeat offences by actual criminals To understand why juries refuse to listen to evidence supporting false confessions and still convict suspects.

5. Research 5 Explanation of Experimental Research Design  Use participants in a mock trial  Inform participants this is a mock trial for research and is to be treated as a true trial.  Will be conducted in actual courtroom  8 separate jury based trials all based on recanting confession under different circumstances, 2 of each type of trial listed. 1. With DNA supporting suspect was not guilt by presentation of another’s DNA. 2. Evidence that the subject on trial was coerced into confession based on false evidence presented by interrogating officer and officer induced sleep deprivation. 3. Evidence of alibi. 4. Evidence showing suspect was near by at the time of crime committed but no physical evidence leading to the crime.  Research will compare jurors attitudes and notes regarding trials.  Jurors will be interviewed after trial individually.  Verdicts will be compared as well as jurors comments and jury sessions will be recorded. This experimental research will allow for a better understanding of how jurors respond to a false confession recanted during a trial based on evidence submitted.

6. Research 6 Description of Research Procedure  Number of participants needed 12 participants in each group. 8 Groups included, totaling 96 participants as jurors 8 separate volunteer lawyers to preside as trial judges. 8 separate individuals to play the of suspect. 16 law students to play an acting role as lawyer. 4 witnesses for each mock trial, totaling 32 witnesses. Overall total number of participants is 160.  Actions of participants: Participants will participate in a mock trial in the position in which they are assigned based on a volunteer basis. Each participant will be informed of research and sign an informed consent document. Each participant will be given a description of their role in the mock trial and will be informed that this experiment is to be treated as a real trial.

7. Research 7 Description of Research Procedure, continued… Expected results: To find that DNA evidence placing another person as suspect along with recanting of confession will be less likely to lead to a jury conviction after a false confession. I expect to find that lack of evidence with an alibi will still lead to a conviction by jury even after recanting false confession. Research shows that police lead recorded or written confessions, even with an alibi after confession withdraw, can still lead to a conviction by jurors if the judge deems the suspect credible to stand trial (Forrest, 2010). I believe that if suspect can be placed near the scene of the crime after withdrawing a false confession they will still be convicted by jury. Evidence based on prior research shows that unless sufficient evidence is linked to another committing the crime that a jury conviction after false confession is likely (Kassin, et. al., 2015).

8. Research 8 Resources: Kassin, S. M., Perillo, J. T., Appleby, S. C., & Kukucka, J. (2015). Confessions. In B. L. Cutler, P. A. Zapf, B. L. Cutler, P. A. Zapf (Eds.), APA handbook of forensic psychology, Vol. 2: Criminal investigation, adjudication, and sentencing outcomes (pp. 245-270). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14462-00 Forrest, K. D., & Woody, W. D. (2010). Police deception during interrogation and its surprising influence on jurors' perceptions of confession evidence. Jury expert, 22(6), 9-19.