Description
Institute of Criminology Sydney INTERROGATING IMAGES AUDIO-VISUALLY by Professor David Dixon
Police interrogation attracts debate and controversy around the world. Audio-visual recording is widely regarded as a panacea for problems in police questioning of suspects.Interrogating Images presents the first empirical study of the routine use of audio-visual recording 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. There is a detailed study of the participants in the interrogation process.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. If the complete questioning process is not recorded confessions may be rehearsed and unreliable. A second danger is the misreading of images particularly by those who overestimate their ability to identify deception from a suspects body language. Audio-visual recording can be a useful tool but it must be one part of a broader process of effectively regulating investigative practices.Interrogating Images is informative and thought provoking reading for lawyers police investigators academic researchers policy-makers legislators students and those with an interest in police interrogation and its implications for criminal justice processes.