PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This Blog is interested in false confessions because of the disturbing number of exonerations in the USA, Canada and multiple other jurisdictions throughout the world, where, in the absence of incriminating forensic evidence the conviction is based on self-incrimination – and because of the growing body of scientific research showing how vulnerable suspects are to widely used interrogation methods such as the notorious ‘Reid Technique.’
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.
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PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Dr Keatley said because Dassey’s case was a strong example of the Reid technique at work it presented a good opportunity to use his BSA system to understand where the failures were. “This is the first time BSA has been used for a police interrogation and we hope, with more research and testing, it could eventually lead to a better understanding of the key pathways that are likely to lead to false confessions,” he said. The results from Dr Keatley’s study showed several psychological techniques, such as leading statements, pressure, empathy, proclaiming to know the truth and inducements, were used by detectives in increasing frequency, in the lead up to Dassey’s confession. Dr Keatley said after applying his technique, it could very well be that Dassey was lead into falsely confessing. Dr Keatley said it was clear people still didn't understand why an innocent person would confess to a crime they didn't commit, but it was becoming more important than ever people didn't believe a confession resulted in guilt. “Understanding the processes of why and how individuals may give false confessions is a central concern in legal systems around the world, especially in America, and we hope the application of BSA in real time to interrogations can help," he said."
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STORY: "Perth researcher believes he holds key to Making a Murderer star's confession," by reporter Hannah Barry, published by WAtoday.com on June 14, 2018."
PHOTO CAPTION: "A three-judge panel has determined that Brendan Dassey was coerced into confessing and should be released from prison last year."
GIST: "A
Perth researcher believes he can weed out false confessions from
genuine admissions of guilt after utilising a new psychological
technique to understand a police interrogation transcript of Making a
Murderer suspect Brendan Dassey. Murdoch University criminologist
Dr David Keatley developed the Behaviour Sequence Analysis system in
response to the “Reid technique”, a popular method of interrogation
commonly used by police. The
Reid technique focuses on reading non-verbal clues that may indicate
dishonesty and wearing down suspects' “psychological resistance”. Critics
argue the technique can often place too much emphasis on body language,
with instances of discomfort often taken to infer guilt. As a result, the Reid technique has been noted as producing a high rate of false confessions — particularly in children. The
technique was used during the four-hour interrogation of then
16-year-old Brendan Dassey more than 11 years ago, when he was charged
with the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. In one exchange in the transcripts, the use of the Reid technique is clear: (An excerpt from the Brendan Dassey transcript Dr Keatley applied his technique to.) Dassey
later recanted his confession but was convicted, and his story was
among the subjects of Netflix documentary Making a Murderer. While
Dassey remains in prison despite various appeals and investigations,
his attorney Steven Drizin said it would have been difficult for him to
avoid jail following his confession in the first place. “If
you confess, and if that confession is false and you go to trial, you
have an 81 per cent chance of still being convicted wrongfully,” he told Chicago Tonight last year. Dr
Keatley said because Dassey’s case was a strong example of the Reid
technique at work it presented a good opportunity to use his BSA system
to understand where the failures were. “This is the first time BSA
has been used for a police interrogation and we hope, with more
research and testing, it could eventually lead to a better understanding
of the key pathways that are likely to lead to false confessions,” he
said. The results from Dr Keatley’s study showed several psychological techniques, such as leading statements, pressure, empathy, proclaiming to know the truth and inducements, were used by detectives in increasing frequency, in the lead up to Dassey’s confession. Dr Keatley said after applying his technique, it could very well be that Dassey was lead into falsely confessing. Dr
Keatley said it was clear people still didn't understand why an
innocent person would confess to a crime they didn't commit, but it was
becoming more important than ever people didn't believe a confession
resulted in guilt. “Understanding the processes of why and how
individuals may give false confessions is a central concern in legal
systems around the world, especially in America, and we hope the
application of BSA in real time to interrogations can help," he said. Dr
Keatley said the BSA system provided a road map that could be presented
to juries, and help jury members understand just how “easy” it was to
employ the Reid technique and get results. “While this area of
research is very new, it holds great potential to future understanding
of a complex and extremely important issue," he said. "How do we
tell if someone has made a false confession, and how do we simplify this
complex process into an easy outcome that a jury can understand and
accept?""
The entire story can be found at:
The entire story can be found at:
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/c
