Interrogation techniques and memory distrust

Abstract

Extensive research has shown that certain interrogation techniques may lead to false confessions. Gudjonsson and MacKeith (1982) argued that the ‘memory distrust syndrome’ could underlie some of these false confessions. The present study examined the relation between memory distrust, false confessions, and several interrogation techniques, by accusing innocent undergraduate students (n=50) of exam fraud. To this end, five interrogation techniques were used, namely providing false technical evidence, providing false eyewitness evidence, minimising, maximising, and suggesting memory problems. Suggesting memory problems was found to have largest impact on memory distrust. Furthermore, it appeared that people were most willing to confess when false technical evidence was provided. Although it was found that, in all interrogation techniques, memory distrust scores correlated highly with false confession scores, they did not have a uniform effect. Several explanations for the findings, and the implications of these findings, are discussed.