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Symposium: A Tale of Two Evidence Presentation Projects

22 June, 2022 @ 2:20 pm - 4:00 pm

A Tale of Two Evidence Presentation Projects
Symposium Organizers:
Christopher E. Kelly (Saint Joseph’s University) & Simon Oleszkiewicz (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Symposium Abstract:
Evidence presentation is a ubiquitous practice in investigative interviews, and for the past two decades, the scientific literature has studied how disclosure affects interview outcomes in terms of deception detection and information gain. This unique symposium will bring together two separate teams working in parallel on a common set of questions: What does the literature actually say about evidence disclosure? How should science-based methods of evidence presentation be translated into practice? Can such a translational model be scientifically validated? Each team consists of academic researchers and practitioners who have been building their respective models on evidence disclosure, and the symposium will highlight areas commonality and dissent between the projects, plus an opportunity for each to learn from the other. (119 words)

Presentation #1: Strengths and flaws in the experimental literature
Simon Oleszkiewicz, PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
There has recently been a surge of experimentally-tested interview methods. Although some methods have been validated in both laboratory and operational settings (e.g., the cognitive interview), most methods receive more attention in one setting over the other. This is particularly true for how to disclose evidence to suspects. And although the experimental literature provides important insight into the systematic principles of evidence disclosure, the experimental set-ups do not (yet) reflect complexities of an operational reality. (75 words)

Presentation #2: An operational need for experimental findings
Matt Jones, Det (ret), Evocavi LLC, USA
When training professionals in research-informed tactics they typically expect to receive a product of their immediate relevance. Not placing the research in the right context brings the risk that research-informed tactics could be mistaken as irrelevant or ineffective by professionals, or worse, used inappropriately in practice. Hence, this project set out to translate the experimental literature on evidence disclosure into a training program that would provide a viable alternative to problematic behaviors and risky tactics. (75 words)

Presentation #3: Validating the research-based training
Marika Madfors, LLM, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands

56 U.S. investigators were trained in how to substantiate the reliability of the available evidence, and interviewed guilty mock-suspects before and after the training. The investigators adhered to the training, resulting in more statement-evidence inconsistencies (p=.04), and less contaminated admissions (p=.01) and statement-evidence inconsistencies (p=.01). They also felt more open-minded and less confession-focused after the training. In conclusion, considering real-life challenges and offering evidence-based alternatives to problematic tactics is important for reducing risky interviewing behaviors. (75 words)

Presentation #4: Evidence presentation in investigative interviews: A systematic review
Margarita Parker, Saint Joseph’s University, USA
Reviewing controlled experiments, observational field studies, and self-report studies, we systematically catalogued the breadth of research and created a publicly accessible reference library and literature matrix, sorted by a navigable tagging system, to observe the why, what, when, and how of evidence presentation. From the review, we developed a model that posits evidence presentation will not overcome subject resistance and that interviewers should withhold evidence to obtain positive interview outcomes—information gain, admissions and confessions. (75 words)

Presentation #5: Validating the Rapport-based Evidence Presentation (REP) model
Christopher E. Kelly, PhD, Saint Joseph’s University, USA
In order to validate the Rapport-based Evidence Presentation (REP) model, we took a mixed-methods approach by conducting focus groups with highly-experienced interviewers and a content analysis of 70 investigative interviewing transcripts. The interviewers strongly endorsed the approach of the REP model, and the content analysis replicated previous findings on the effects of evidence presentation but also revealed—using an innovated coding procedures and analyses—novel results that demonstrate productive uses of evidence. Implications for training development and practice will be discussed. (81 words)

Discussants:
Matt Jones, Det (ret), Evocavi LLC
Michael McClary, Asst. Sheriff, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (ret.)

Details

Date:
22 June, 2022
Time:
2:20 pm - 4:00 pm
Event Category: