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

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