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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
07:36
An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime
Published on: May 3, 2016
Police practices and perceptions regarding juvenile interrogation and interrogative suggestibility.
Jessica R Meyer1, N Dickon Reppucci
1University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA.
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
|November 30, 2007
Summary
Police interrogation tactics for youth may be problematic. Despite acknowledging developmental differences, officers often perceive and treat young suspects similarly to adults, potentially leading to false confessions.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Criminal Justice
Background:
- Young suspects are vulnerable to interrogation-induced false confessions.
- Police often use the same coercive tactics with youth as with adults.
- Existing research lacks documentation of police interrogation practices with minors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document law enforcement interrogation practices with youth.
- To assess police beliefs on the reliability of interrogation techniques for minors.
- To evaluate police knowledge of child development.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to 332 law enforcement officers.
- Data collected on interrogation procedures and child development knowledge.
- Analysis of police perceptions of youth in interrogation contexts.
Main Results:
- Police acknowledge some developmental differences between youth and adults.
- Contradictions observed in how police perceive and treat youth generally versus in interrogations.
- General police view suggests youth can be handled like adults.
Conclusions:
- Current police interrogation practices may not adequately account for youth developmental vulnerabilities.
- A gap exists between police acknowledgment of developmental differences and their application in interrogation.
- Further training on adolescent development is crucial for law enforcement.
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