Interrogating Images: Audio-Visually Recorded Police Questioning of Suspects (Sydney Institute of Criminology) - Softcover

David Dixon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 097519674X ISBN 13: 9780975196748

Publisher: Institute of Criminology, Sydney, 2007

Synopsis

Audio-visual recording is widely regarded as a panacea for problems with police questioning of suspects. Interrogating Images presents the first empirical study of the routine use of audio-visual recording of police interrogations anywhere in the world, focusing on New South Wales, Australia, where such recording has been required for more than a decade. Its introduction is set in a historical account of disputes and concerns about police questioning of suspects. Various styles of police interviewing are identified, showing that many assumptions about the nature and purpose of interrogation are inaccurate. A chapter assesses the impact in NSW of "investigative interviewing," a questioning style very different from that used in the USA. The penultimate chapter examines the experiences and perceptions of criminal justice professionals--judges, defence lawyers, prosecutors, and police. Interrogating Images concludes by pointing to some dangers of misusing audio-visual recording.

About this title

About the Author

David Dixon is a professor of history at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

Review

The book examines interview techniques of police officers, and gives fascinating insights into past and present police practices, such as how much to tell the suspect about the crime before the interview, the style of language and manner of the interviewer and how officers challenge inconsistencies in a suspect's story. The text is liberally illustrated with examples from the research. - Victims' Voice (SA), December 2007 All Canadian police services should consider purchasing Volume 23 of The Institute of Criminology Series, both for the importance of the subject and the soundness and depth of the analysis conducted. Is there any area of controversy in policing more easily resolved than demonstrating through technology that the person questioned was treated fairly and fully informed of all rights? ...this text offers an encyclopedia of information as to what may and must not be done when questioning detainees. - Canada's National Law Enforcement, Blue Line Magazine, August/ September 2009

Edition details

• Publisher: Institute of Criminology, Sydney
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 097519674X
• ISBN 13: 9780975196748
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 292