Do Suspects Use the Counter-Interrogation Strategies They Say They Use?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify guilty suspects’ counter-interrogation strategies and compare self-reported strategies and objective behaviors. Participants (N = 299) committed a mock crime and were then asked to convince an interviewer of their innocence. Self-reports regarding strategies and interview transcripts were coded and compared. Fifteen strategies were identified, such as close to truth and whitewashing evidence. For some but not all strategies, participants’ self-reports matched their objective behavior in the interview. One possibility is that participants’ self-reports were accurate when the strategy led to clear behavioral manifestations (e.g., having a cover story), but they were less accurate when the strategy could lead to various behaviors (e.g., providing detail).