A typology of denial strategies by suspects in criminal investigations

In this chapter we propose a typology of denials made by suspects in police interviews. This is an important forensic topic, first, because police officers need to consider in advance of an interview the likely strategies that might be adopted by those who intend to deceive them concerning their involvement in a criminal offence. Can officers nullify such attempts before the suspect commits to such a strategy? How should they respond if such a denial is not averted? Secondly, and perhaps more important still, is the ability to distinguish between the denials of those intent on deceit and those who are genuinely innocent of any involvement. Should all denials be treated with scepticism? Or should all denials be taken at face value pending discovery of contradictory evidence? Should denials be welcomed on the grounds that evidence will subsequently be used to prove the intention to deceive? Or should denials best be circumvented by adroit questioning, in the hope that a confession will subsequently be elicited? We shall see that experts are not at one on these issues (e.g. Gudjonsson, 2006 ) and, moreover, that there is a dearth of evidence about the form that denials take generally. Before examining the questions further, we shall describe briefly what is known about the opposite stance taken by suspects: confession to the crime in connection with which they are being interviewed.