Two Recently Confirmed False Confessions: Byron A. Halsey and Jeffrey M. Deskovic

Abstract

In the past decade “false confessions” have emerged as a major area of research and practice in forensic psychology and psychiatry. Most prominent among the factors for this emergence has been the media coverage of high profile false confession cases. Not long ago false confessions were viewed as an anomaly, but in the past decade DNA exonerations coupled with social science research, have focused attention on how false confessions can arise from common interrogation practice. This article explores two recent high profile cases where false confessions were obtained and explores the various factors involved. Modern psychological interrogation, criminal profiling literature, and polygraphy suggest to law enforcement that they can reliably identify “criminals” without adequate investigation. Thus reliance on these sources for evidence of guilt warrants careful review.