Interrogation and the Sexual Assault Suspect: On the Synergy between Pretext Caller and Police Interrogator

Nadine Deslauriers-Varin & Craig Bennell, eds., Criminal Investigations of Sexual Offenses: Investigative Techniques and Operational Challenges (Springer, Forthcoming)

Univ. of San Francisco Law Research Paper No. 2021-07

29 Pages Posted: 18 Nov 2020 Last revised: 30 Jun 2021

See all articles by Deborah Davis

Deborah Davis

University of Nevada, Reno - Department of Psychology

Richard A. Leo

University of San Francisco

Tyler Livingston

University of Nevada, Reno

Peter Rerick

University of Nevada, Reno

Date Written: November 1, 2020

Abstract

This chapter reviews the attempts of police to elicit confessions to child and adult sexual assault through standard police interrogation and through use of alleged victims or associates of alleged victim as surrogate interrogators. Specifically, we describe the use of “pretext calls” (otherwise known as “cold,” “controlled,” “one party consent,” or “confrontational” calls) made by victims or their associates at the behest of police. We describe commonalities and differences in the strategies employed by police interrogators and pretext callers, and the synergy between them. We further address reactions of suspects to each, as well as reactions of observers to admissions made in each context.

Keywords: Criminal justice, Interrogation, Police, Law enforcement, Sexual assault, Confrontation calls, Pretext calls, False confessions

Suggested Citation

Davis, Deborah and Leo, Richard A. and Livingston, Tyler and Rerick, Peter, Interrogation and the Sexual Assault Suspect: On the Synergy between Pretext Caller and Police Interrogator (November 1, 2020). Nadine Deslauriers-Varin & Craig Bennell, eds., Criminal Investigations of Sexual Offenses: Investigative Techniques and Operational Challenges (Springer, Forthcoming), Univ. of San Francisco Law Research Paper No. 2021-07 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3731871

Deborah Davis

University of Nevada, Reno - Department of Psychology ( email )

United States

Richard A. Leo (Contact Author)

University of San Francisco ( email )

2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
United States

Tyler Livingston

University of Nevada, Reno ( email )

1664 N. Virginia St
Reno, NV 89557
United States

Peter Rerick

University of Nevada, Reno ( email )

1664 N. Virginia St
Reno, NV 89557
United States

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