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Psychology of False Confessions

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A false confession is when someone admits to a crime he/she did not commit. In addition to DNA testing, fingerprint analysis, handwriting analysis, e.t.c, the art of lie detection through body language has developed. Interviewers and detectives are trained to and specialize in noticing specific body language which indicate the credibility of information given by a potential suspect. Over the years, theories ranging from a psychological aspect to free decision aspect have been made as to why people confess to crimes in which they did not commit. Recent studies have shown that there is a higher rate and probability of false confessions in juvenile crimes than crimes committed by adults or the mentally disabled , giving a more reason to believe that there is a psychological influence behind it. False confessions are a result of many different factors. Sometimes a suspect is under an immense amount of pressure and stress to the point where they cannot think or perform straight. For example, during the Amanda Knox trial in Italy, Amanda Knox was interrogated for 48 hours with no chance of rest nor sleep and was under an intense amount of pressure. Out of fatigue and need for rest and food, she falsely confessed to a murder in which she did not commit. Another reason to why a person may falsely confess is if a threat to be harmed is made. Sometimes police officers or detectives may indirectly threaten suspects to confess to crimes they did not commit. This threat may not harm them physically but could harm maybe something they love so much. For example, in the play, The Pillowman, by Martin McDonagh, the main character Kataurain was threatened destruction of his stories (which was his whole life’s work) if he did not admit to the killing of three innocent children. Kataurain falsely admits to this crime but is then found innocent at the end of the play for the crimes he was falsely accused of. The threat of a harsher sentence could also factor into the reasons why people false confess. D

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