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6.1 - Courtroom Testimony in Cases of Disputed Confessions

from Part VI - Professional Practices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2021

By
Gisli H. Gudjonsson
Edited by
Jennifer M. Brown  and
Miranda A. H. Horvath
Jennifer M. Brown
Affiliation:
London School of Economics and Political Science
Miranda A. H. Horvath
Affiliation:
University of Suffolk
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Summary

The early conceptualization of Hugo Münsterberg in1908 laid the foundation for understanding different types of false confession, but tangible theoretical developments, assessment methodology of cases of disputed confessions, and empirical evidence base did not emerge until the 1980s. The gradual emergence of the science of false confession began with real life cases of disputed confessions in the 1970s and 1980s and the lessons that the cases taught scientists and expert witnesses interested in false confessions and psychological vulnerabilities. Theoretical developments led to better understanding of different types of false confessions. The psychological evaluation of real-life cases raised pertinent research questions, led to the development of innovative methodology and validated psychometric tests, and the collection of evolving empirical databases relevant to the evaluation of new cases. There is now a substantial evidence base for the science of false confession. This chapter explains its origin, development, and challenges.

Keywords

TestimonyFalse ConfessionsMiscarriage of JusticeSuggestibility
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology , pp. 737 - 756
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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