Police Pressure: The History of U.S. Police Interrogations

• Main Author: Ortman, Abbie
• Other Authors: Paris, Margie
• Language: en_US
• Published: University of Oregon 2016
• Subjects: interrogation; police
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1794/20549

In the past 150 years, the tactics used by police in the interrogation room have constantly been evolving. This paper will look back on the history of interrogation tactics used by police as well as the court's efforts to regulate those tactics. Starting with the definition of interrogation and tactics, the paper will slowly delve into the history of U.S. police interrogation tactics. Beginning with the early formulation of modern police departments and working through the important Wickersham Report. The paper will discuss the ban on physical third degree tactics and the impact of Miranda warnings. Finally, the paper will walk through one of the most popular interrogation methods, The Reid Technique, before briefly proposing eight suggestions on how to move forward with interrogation regulation.