◆ SpookStack

. . His family doing something together (In this case, the tamily is in a restaurant.) . . . ing in detail. Investigators detecting when contronted with evidence. As Subject: Well, I can't say if I have or this type of defense and bringing it to one murderer told the interviewing I don't. There are a lot of aspects the offender's attention may be suc- agents, "The police unwrapped the of this crime I can't give an answer, cesstul. In one case, the murderer broomhandle and that did it." Several cause I put up a mental biock. I claimed to have committed the mur- of the murderers interviewed were don't want to think of it. It makes ders because of instructions from a unable to remember actually commit- centuries-old dog. The Agents refused me do bad time. I'm doing a long ting the murder, but agreed the evi- time and I just block it clear out. to accept this ploy. They pointed out dence incriminated them. The murderer confirms the likelihooc good naturedly that the murders had One group of murderers inter- that the fantasies are there; however, been carefully planned and executed, viewed did not admit to their crimes which was a lot to expect from a dog. additional techniques, such as hypno- even after their convictions for the The murderer finally accepted the sis or therapy, would be needed to murders. When confronted with such "credit' for the crimes and discussed access the information individuals, the interviewer should at- them in detail with the interviewers. tempt to determine if the individual is Continuum of Admission Even when suspecting that a subject is lying (which implies conscious intent) lying or denying, the interviewer should The offender generally took one or if the individual is denying (which try to maintain an atmosphere of mutual of three positions regarding guilt--ad- implies subconscious intent). mitting the crime, admitting lack of To the offender, lying to an inves- respect. There are reasons why a suspect total recall, and not admitting the Of tigator provides a form of control. It might deny a crime. The denial might crime. In our study, the majority theircrimes. may detour the investigator and waste serve to protect the subject from legal murderers admitted valuable time, as in situations in which action as well as from the psychologi- Some of the murderers turned them- incorrect names and addresses are cal impact of admitting such a crime. selves in to the police; others admit- given. One murderer interviewed denied any ted to the crime when they were ap- One way investigators identify lies actual knowledge of committing the prehended. Still others admitted guilt is on the basis of the amount of detail crime. He stated that he was coerced, a subject provides. Fantasy worlds or forced to confess to the crimes, and delusions are usually very detailed. possibly drugged betore entering a However, when a subject tries to plea of guilty. In the interview with the feign psychosis or delusion, his story usually appears inconsistent and lack- 127