A broken tandem: Understanding Lack of Witness cooperation in the Interview Room

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisMixed; collaboration

675 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Some witnesses of crime do not want to cooperate with the police during the police investigation, and their participation is not obligatory. However, witness statements are critical to advance police investigations and deliver justice. This PhD research focuses on the promotion of cooperation during witness interviews.
Based on police interviews with crime witnesses in the Netherlands and a survey of criminal investigators in the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the findings indicate deficiencies in the application of evidence-based witness interviewing techniques, which may be exacerbated when witnesses are uncooperative with the police. Lack of witness cooperation was also found to be detrimental to accurate disclosure of information. Altogether, these effects call into question the validity of witness statements used in criminal investigations and proceedings. Further research, interviewing training, and policies are needed to reduce lack of witness cooperation and to secure the best witness evidence.
Funded with a grant from the Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Program - The House of Legal Psychology.
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Maastricht University
  • University of Gothenberg
Supervisors/Advisors
  • van Koppen, Peter, Supervisor
  • Strömwall, Leif A., Supervisor, External person
  • Horselenberg, Robert, Co-Supervisor
  • Landström, Sara, Co-Supervisor, External person
Award date14 Oct 2020
Place of PublicationMaastricht
Publisher
Print ISBNs9789464190335
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • police
  • eyewitness memory
  • police interview
  • criminal investigation
  • criminal justice
  • legal psychology

Cite this