Uses techniques from psychological science and legal theory to explore police interrogation in the United States Understanding Police Interrogation provides a single comprehensive source for understanding issues relating to police interrogation and confession. It sheds light on the range of factors that may influence the outcome of the interrogation of a suspect, which ones make it more likely that a person will confess, and which may also inadvertently lead to false confessions. There is a significant psychological component to police interrogations, as interrogators may try to build rapport with the suspect, or trick them into thinking there is evidence against them that does not exist. Also important is the extent to which the interrogator is convinced of the suspect’s guilt, a factor that has clear ramifications for today’s debates over treatment of black suspects and other people of color in the criminal justice system. The volume employs a totality of the circumstances approach, arguing that a number of integrated factors, such as the characteristics of the suspect, the characteristics of the interrogators, interrogation techniques and location, community perceptions of law enforcement, and expectations for jurors and judges, all contribute to the nature of interrogations and the outcomes and perceptions of the criminal justice system. The authors argue that by drawing on this approach we can better explain the likelihood of interrogation outcomes, including true and false confessions, and provide both scholars and practitioners with a greater understanding of best practices going forward.

Since the early 2000s, a growing body of scientific studies in neuropathology, neurology, biomechanics, statistics, criminology and psychology has cast doubt on the validity of the automatic diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), more recently termed Abusive Head Trauma (AHT). It has been shown that accidental short falls, as well as a wide range of medical conditions, might cause the same symptoms. Nevertheless, mischaracterized diagnoses and wrongful convictions continue to this day. Bringing together contributions from a multidisciplinary expert panel of 32 professionals across 8 countries in 16 different specialties, this landmark book tackles the highly controversial topic of SBS, which lies at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With comprehensive coverage across multiple disciplines, it explains the scientific evidence challenging SBS and advances efforts to evaluate how deaths and serious brain injuries in infants should be analysed and investigated.

With the popularity of crime dramas like CSI focusing on forensic science, and increasing numbers of police and prosecutors making wide-spread use of DNA, high-tech science seems to have become the handmaiden of law enforcement. But this is a myth,asserts law professor and nationally known expert on police profiling David A. Harris. In fact, most of law enforcement does not embrace science—it rejects it instead, resisting it vigorously. The question at the heart of this book is why. »» Eyewitness identifications procedures using simultaneous lineups—showing the witness six persons together,as police have traditionally done—produces a significant number of incorrect identifications. »» Interrogations that include threats of harsh penalties and untruths about the existence of evidence proving the suspect’s guilt significantly increase the prospect of an innocent person confessing falsely. »» Fingerprint matching does not use probability calculations based on collected and standardized data to generate conclusions, but rather human interpretation and judgment.Examiners generally claim a zero rate of error – an untenable claim in the face of publicly known errors by the best examiners in the U.S. Failed Evidence explores the real reasons that police and prosecutors resist scientific change, and it lays out a concrete plan to bring law enforcement into the scientific present. Written in a crisp and engaging style, free of legal and scientific jargon, Failed Evidence will explain to police and prosecutors, political leaders and policy makers, as well as other experts and anyone else who cares about how law enforcement does its job, where we should go from here. Because only if we understand why law enforcement resists science will we be able to break through this resistance and convince police and prosecutors to rely on the best that science has to offer.Justice demands no less.

'Sanders and Young's Criminal Justice' is an engaging account and a rigorous critique of the criminal justice system, drawing on a wide breadth of research in the field.

Justice, Crime, and Ethics, a leading textbook in criminal justice programs, examines ethical dilemmas pertaining to the administration of criminal justice and professional activities in the field. This eighth edition continues to deliver a broad scope of topics through focus on law enforcement, legal practice, sentencing, corrections, research, crime control policy, and philosophical issues. The book's robust coverage encompasses contentious issues such as capital punishment, prison corruption, the use of deception in police interrogation, and many more. New content includes new material on juvenile justice, corporate crime, and prosecutorial misconduct. Students of criminal justice, as well as instructors and professionals in the field, will continue to rely on this thorough, dependable resource on ethical decision-making in the criminal justice system. Essays are enhanced with case studies and exercises designed to stimulate critical and creative thinking regarding ethical issues in crime and justice Discussion questions and lists of key concepts focus students and help them to understand ethics in the context of the criminal justice system New chapters cover ethical issues related to juvenile justice and corporate misconduct, and chapters on police and prosecutor ethics have been extensively updated A full suite of online ancillaries for instructors and students adds value to lectures and enriches the learning experience

Previous edition, 6th, published in 1994.

An important contribution to the law enforcement field at every level "Criminal Investigation" is recognized as the most accurate, comprehensive, and practical book in its field. This updated edition examines the latest investigative methods and technologies with new information on white-collar crime, drugs, terrorism, and homeland security.The simulation CD contains interactive modules covering the investigative process.