Evidence Collection

Forensic Psychology – Crime Investigation and Prevention

In this course, Professor Ciarán O’Keeffe (Buckinghamshire New University) explores crime investigation and prevention. In the first lecture, we think about evidence collection and how an interview differs from an interrogation. In the second lecture, we think about the cognitive interview by working through each of its stages, as well as the five additional considerations put forward in the enhanced cognitive interview. In the third lecture, we think about primary crime prevention, including target hardening, improving street lighting, the use of defensible spaces, the installation of CCTV and the implementation of zero tolerance policies on crime. Next, we think about Kelling and Wilson’s 1982 ‘broken windows theory’ and Zimbardo’s 1969 study using abandoned cars to assess the impact on crime levels. In the fifth lecture, we think about dietary treatments to reduce crime, including nutritional supplements. In the sixth and final lecture, we think about the impact that hormones can have on criminal behaviour, as well as some of the hormone treatments that have been implemented for sexual offenders.

Evidence Collection

In this lecture, we think about evidence collection, focusing in particular on: (i) the difference between an interview and an interrogation; (ii) the steps which make up the REED model of interrogation; (iii) the PEACE model, which was put forward as encouragement for officers to search for the truth before a confession; (iv) the impact that different factors, either rooted in the individual or in the justice system, can have on memory recall accuracy.