In case you've missed it, Alaskablawg, our friend from up north (depending on where you live) went to battle last week on his well publicized murder case. Check out his latest post and catch up on the case at the Court TV website or you can also read the Court TV Trial Blog (my favorite).
If you read the Trial Blog, check out the 10:00am entry in which Alaskablawg is wanting to ask an investigating officer about the Reid interrogation technique brought up in his testimony. I've talked about it before but the Reid Method is like the magic weapon for detectives around the United States. In my most non-legal opinion and in the words of one the greatest cinema attorney's in my time, Vincent Gambini (Played by Joe Pesci), it is pure "bullshit." I guess he was denied being able to ask any questions regarding Reid but I'm curious as to why Alaska prohibits the testimony of experts against it...or maybe I read it wrong.
If you read the Trial Blog, check out the 10:00am entry in which Alaskablawg is wanting to ask an investigating officer about the Reid interrogation technique brought up in his testimony. I've talked about it before but the Reid Method is like the magic weapon for detectives around the United States. In my most non-legal opinion and in the words of one the greatest cinema attorney's in my time, Vincent Gambini (Played by Joe Pesci), it is pure "bullshit." I guess he was denied being able to ask any questions regarding Reid but I'm curious as to why Alaska prohibits the testimony of experts against it...or maybe I read it wrong.
In a humorous note, Alaskablawg also writes:
The case was on Nancy Grace Monday night. I got the chance to call her 'CNN's High Inquisitor', noting that the coverage was "bombastic and inaccurate" on the
record.
Seriously, go check his site out, read the case, and if you're up to it, maybe leave a few words of encouragement. He hasn't asked for them but sometimes when you're in the middle of "the shit" it's good to know you're not alone.
When the day comes, one more Gambini quote that Alaskablawg might want to try in his closing is this tried and true winner.
5 comments:
Could you explain in detail more about the Reid technique? I've never heard of it before but if it is that controversial, I might need ot learn about it.
Reid is one of my pet peeves, so I feel a need to weigh in...
Basically, Reid teaches interrogators how to get a confession from somebody they have already decided is guilty. However, too many "practitioners" skip the first part (using tried-and-true investigative techniques to ensure they have the right person) and jump right to the interrogation part.
Think about that for a moment: you now have an interrogator who has decided you are guilty and who will do whatever he or she needs to do to get you to say things that seal the deal. The next mistake is when the interrogation is not videotaped, because now this person who has decided you are guilty is going to put in a report whatever he/she thinks you said that shows you are guilty.
Since the goal of any investigator is to find the truth, having an interrogator who has already decided you are guilty (before the interrogation even begins) is simply bad investigative procedure.
By the way, this is not an attack on Reid, which teaches interrogation practices such as active listening and the use of mind games. Being familiar with its precepts, I think, is a benefit to anybody who interviews people.
(Reid has little relevance to our jobs, because it requires total control of the interrogation environment and often employs intimidation and fear; keeping the suspect off-balance is a key factor.)
My problem with Reid isn't the technique itself, but the fact that so many cops misunderstand and/or misapply it. It's like handing a loaded shotgun to a child. It seems to me that getting into the details of what a detective thinks Reid teaches is essential, especially after a detective holds up a certificate saying he or she knows how to use it.
It boggles my mind that we can get into the training somebody has in using a radar gun or Breathalyzer, but not the details of the training they have in getting "confessions"...
Wow! Nice one Greg, I never could have explained it better myself!
For a little info, here in WI Gov Doyle just passed the Avery Bill (if you haven't heard about this guy, Steven Avery, look him up, good stuff, Innocense Project victory, well kinda) to help combat these techniques. It basically requires all juvenile interogations to be taped and felony adults are recommended. Very helpful. Here is a link to the bill, hope it works... http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm84/news/SupremeCourtDecision.pdf#search='avery%20bill%20wi'
thanks for the links
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