Types And Risk Factors Of False Confession

Evaluating Confession Evidence: Legal System Changes to Prevent False Confession

Introduction

During a legal investigation, a confession may seem to indicate the end of a trial, as an indication of guilt would lead to the verdict of guilty. However, there are many factors that influence confessions and prevent assumption of guilt with confessions as evidence alone. By examining different types of confessions and the evidence surrounding them, the court can recognize patterns of false confession and learn to differentiate them from the truth. Investigating the types and risk factors of false confessions is essential in their identification and the subsequent assurance of justice.

Whenever possible, it is essential to avoid confessions as sufficient

By definition, a false confession is “an admission to a criminal act – usually accompanied by a narrative of how and why the crime occured – that the confessor did not commit” (Kassin et Al., 2010). There are several classifications of false confessions. Voluntary false confessions occur when the suspects falsely confess to a crime without being forced or coerced. This can occur for several reasons, such as personal mental health conditions or with the intention of protecting another individual. In assessing the effect of relationship status on voluntary blame-taking, experiments by Schneider et. al concluded that individuals are most likely to take the blame for their family members, and equally likely to take the blame for close friends and acquaintances (Schneider et. al, 2021). Because of the increased likelihood of individuals to voluntarily confess to protect family members, cases concerning suspects and witnesses of the same family should be examined particularly

One such factor is in regards to one’s personality. According to a 2004 review by Kassin & Gudjonsson, suspects that are "prone to exhibit compliance in social situations may be particularly vulnerable in the interrogation room". If an individual demonstrates a decreased willingness to participate in confrontation in their traditional social environments, they are likely to exhibit this behavior in the interrogation room. This aversion to conflict may damage their ability to defend themselves appropriately, and result in an inaccurate representation of their case. This particular personality type may cause one to simply comply or to change their mindset even though they are initially fully aware of their innocence. When the stakes of an environment match the stakes of the crime committed, more compliant personality types are more likely to submit to a false confession to avoid that stressful