Criminal Interrogation and Confessions

Our Expert Review

As the definitive text on interview and interrogation methodology, the fifth edition of Criminal Interrogation and Confessions stands as an indispensable resource for polygraph examiners and investigators alike. Written by the pioneers of the Reid Technique, this comprehensive manual provides the theoretical foundation and practical application of interrogation methods that have been used successfully by thousands of investigators worldwide.

This updated Fifth Edition presents interviewing and interrogation techniques, based on actual criminal cases, which have been used successfully by thousands of criminal investigators. This practical text is built around simple psychological principles and examines interrogation as a nine-step process that is easily understood by the reader. For polygraph professionals, this book bridges the critical gap between detecting deception and obtaining admissions, as the Reid Technique evolved directly from polygraph examination practices.

The book's strength lies in its systematic approach to behavioral analysis and interrogation strategy. Chapter 15 (Distinguishing between True and False Confessions) has been updated to include new cases throughout and contains two new sections; "The Issue of False Confessions in the Courtroom – The Testimony of Expert Witnesses" and "The Issue of False Confessions in the Courtroom – Court Decisions". Chapter 17 discusses all of the legal issues related to interrogation and confession law, including Miranda, the meaning of custody, the use of threats and/or promises, the use of deception, and confession voluntariness.

Chapter 9 (Behavior Symptom Analysis) contains new research that has been conducted on the efficacy of behavior symptom analysis, as well as building for the reader the behavioral model of the truthful individual versus those who are withholding information. This chapter proves particularly valuable for polygraph examiners seeking to enhance their behavioral observation skills during pre-test interviews.

The text excels in its practical application, with Chapters 7 through 12 discuss in detail how to build the investigative interview, including the proper use of both investigative and behavior provoking questions, as well as guidelines for evaluating the credibility of allegations, and the proper use of followup and bait questions. These chapters provide concrete techniques that complement polygraph examination protocols.

While the book remains the gold standard for interrogation training, some limitations warrant consideration. The heavy reliance on psychological pressure techniques may not align with all jurisdictions' legal standards, and the approach has faced criticism regarding potential false confessions. The authors acknowledge these concerns in the updated sections on false confessions, but practitioners must carefully balance technique application with ethical considerations.

Overall, this remains an essential text for serious polygraph professionals seeking to master the complete spectrum of deception detection and truth verification techniques.

Key Takeaways

• Master the nine-step Reid interrogation process for systematic suspect questioning and confession elicitation
• Distinguish between interviews and interrogations to apply appropriate techniques based on case circumstances
• Identify behavioral symptoms of truthfulness versus deception through verbal and nonverbal analysis
• Properly construct investigative and behavior-provoking questions to maximize information gathering
• Establish optimal interview room environments and positioning for effective communication
• Navigate legal requirements including Miranda warnings, custody definitions, and confession voluntariness
• Recognize and prevent false confessions through updated case analysis and expert testimony guidelines
• Implement protective measures for innocent subjects while maintaining investigative effectiveness
• Apply proper preparation techniques and rapport-building strategies before interrogation begins
• Understand the psychological principles underlying deception detection and truth verification

What’s Inside

Who Should Read This

This comprehensive manual serves multiple professional audiences with distinct applications. Criminal Interrogation and Confessions, Fifth Edition presents the Reid Technique of interviewing and interrogation and is the standard used in the field, making it essential reading for law enforcement professionals. Polygraph examiners will find this book invaluable for enhancing their interview techniques and behavioral observation skills. Since the Reid Technique evolved directly from polygraph examination practices, understanding these methods helps examiners better prepare subjects, identify behavioral indicators during testing, and conduct effective post-test interviews when deception is indicated. The behavior symptom analysis chapter provides research-backed techniques for observing truthfulness indicators that complement physiological polygraph data. Attorneys, both prosecutors and defense counsel, benefit from understanding interrogation methodologies and legal requirements covered in the updated chapters. Chapter 17 discusses all of the legal issues related to interrogation and confession law, including Miranda, the meaning of custody, the use of threats and/or promises, the use of deception, and confession voluntariness. The chapter contains updated legal references including 2011 court decisions. This knowledge proves crucial for evaluating confession admissibility and cross-examining law enforcement witnesses. Academic researchers and criminal justice students gain comprehensive insight into interrogation theory and practice. The book's evidence-based approach, with actual case examples and psychological principles, provides solid foundation for understanding investigative techniques and their effectiveness. Graduate students in forensic psychology, criminology, and criminal justice programs will find the systematic methodology particularly valuable for research and practical application.

About the Authors

Fred E. Inbau (d. 1998) is most known in the polygraph community for his collaboration with polygraph pioneer John Reid. Though a lawyer, Inbau joined the new established Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory in Chicago in 1933 to pursue his interest in forensic science and stayed with the lab as director when it was assumed by the Chicago Police Department. He left to be a trial lawyer in 1941 and joined the faculty of Northwestern University School of Law in 1945. Fred Edward Inbau was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 27, 1909. Inbau attended Tulane University, receiving his B.S. in 1930 and his LL.B. in 1932, and served as the editor-in-chief of the Tulane Law Review. Inbau continued his education at Northwestern University School of Law, receiving his LL.M. in 1933 and beginning a career-long association with the School of Law. In 1966 he founded Americans for Effective Law Enforcement. Inbau was a prolific writer, publishing more than 50 journal articles and 18 books. Fred E. Inbau is the Late John Henry Wigmore Professor of Law Emeritus, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.

John E. Reid (1910-1982) met Inbau when Reid joined the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory in 1940. Reid formed his own detective agency, John E. Reid and Associates, in 1947. He and Inbau collaborated on a number of books, including Truth and Deception: The Polygraph Technique (1966; 2nd edition, 1977). The system was developed in the United States by John E. Reid in the 1950s. Reid was a polygraph expert and former Chicago police officer.

Joseph P. Buckley is a forensic interviewer, detection of deception examiner, lecturer, and consultant. He is the President of John E. Reid and Associates in Chicago, Illinois and has been with the firm since 1971. Mr. Buckley is co-author of the books The Investigator Anthology and Criminal Interrogation and Confessions, as well as numerous articles and papers. He is a contributing author to the Encyclopedia of Police Science and the Encyclopedia of Security Management.

Brian C. Jayne is a forensic interviewer, detection of deception examiner and lecturer. He is the director of research and development for John E. Reid and Associates, where he has been employed since 1978. Mr. Jayne is co-author of The Investigator Anthology, Criminal Interrogation and Confessions, Electronic Recording of Interrogations, and has published dozens of articles and studies in the field of detection of deception, including three sponsored by the National Security Agency. Mr. Jayne has testified as an expert witness in Military, Federal, and State trials in the areas of detection of deception, behavior symptom analysis, and interrogation.

Publication History

The first edition of the "Reid Manual" (Criminal Interrogation and Confessions) in 1962, was severely criticized by the US Supreme Court. A second edition of the manual, in 1967, incorporated advice on how to use Miranda warnings. A third edition, in 1986, marked the start of what has been called "the new Reid method". Criminal Interrogations and Confessions (first edition 1966, 3rd edition 1986) was translated into Chinese and Japanese. The fourth edition was published in 2001, followed by the fifth edition in 2013 by Jones & Bartlett Learning. © 2013 | 472 pages. The book has been consistently published in paperback format, with instructor resources available for academic use. Each edition has incorporated evolving legal standards, psychological research, and case studies to maintain its position as the field's standard reference.

How to Cite This Book

Frequently Asked Questions