Police interviewing and the use of appropriate adults

Robertson, Graham; Pearson, Richard; Gibb, Robert

doi:10.1080/09585189608415014

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…However, a discussion of the provision of appropriate adults exclusively for young suspects is justi ed because local authorities have a statutory duty to provide appropriate adults only for young suspects. Moreover, it has been suggested that future Codes should distinguish between the needs and requirements of young and mentally disordered adult detainees (Robertson et al, 1996). The needs of young people are likely to be different to those of mentally disordered people.…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

How appropriate are volunteers as 'appropriate adults' for young suspects? The 'appropriate adult' system and human rights

Pierpoint¹

2000

Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law

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Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

How appropriate are volunteers as 'appropriate adults' for young suspects? The 'appropriate adult' system and human rights

Pierpoint¹

2000

Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law

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“…An exclusive focus on appropriate adults for young persons is justified because local authorities (in co-operation with other local agencies) only have a statutory duty to provide appropriate adults for young suspects (CDA, s. 38(4)(a) ). Moreover, it has been suggested that future Codes should distinguish between the needs and requirements of young and mentally disordered adult detainees (Robertson et al 1996). The needs of young people are likely to be different to those of people with learning difficulties.…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Performance of Volunteer Appropriate Adults: A Survey of Call Outs

Pierpoint

2001

The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice

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The 'appropriate adult' is intended to safeguard the interests of the young suspect in the police interview. This article discusses the criticisms of social workers' and parents' performance of the role and then considers the findings from a survey that explores volunteers' performance. The findings suggest that, when the volunteers surveyed contributed in the interview, they fulfilled the role as intended. This article also examines the implications of employing the survey method as a means of data collection in this field. The author concludes that further research is required in order for the survey findings to be considered conclusive and generalisable and suggests two further methods.

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“…Since its inception, there has been a burgeoning literature concerning the efficacy of the AA safeguard for vulnerable suspects in police custody. Initially, research was largely focused upon the identification of vulnerable suspects Brown, 1989;Brown, Ellis, & Larcombe, 1992;Bucke & Brown, 1997;Gudjonsson, Clare, Rutter, & Pearse, 1993;Irving & McKenzie, 1989;Keyes, Scott, & Truman, 1998;Medford, Gudjonsson, & Pearse, 2000;Pearse, Gudjonsson, Clare, & Rutter, 1998;Phillips & Brown, 1998;Robertson, Pearson, & Gibb, 1996).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has consistently shown that many individuals who qualify for this vital safeguard continue to be interviewed without an AA present (Gudjonsson et al, 1993;Irving & McKenzie, 1989;Justice, 1994;Medford et al, 2000;Robertson et al, 1996). Debate now also centres upon the role and contribution of the AA in the policesuspect interview and when an AA is present, their efficacy in safeguarding the rights and interests of vulnerable suspects (Bucke & Brown, 1997;Hodgson, 1997;Pearse & Gudjonsson, 1996a).…”

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confidence: 99%

The efficacy of the appropriate adult safeguard during police interviewing

Medford¹,

Gudjónsson²,

Pearse

2003

Legal Criminol Psychol

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Purpose. The main aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of the appropriate adult (AA) safeguard for vulnerable adult and juvenile suspects undergoing police interviews. Method. We examined the records of suspects held in custody by the London Metropolitan Police at 74 charging stations during February 1997 (Medford, Gudjonsson, & Pearse, 2000). Adult suspects whose custody record indicated psychological vulnerability were included in the study, as well as juvenile suspects. Audiotaped interviews of suspects were analysed using a special coding frame. The contribution (or lack of contribution) made by the AA, the extent to which they fulfilled their role, and the effect of their presence on other persons and interview outcome were examined and analysed. Results. Of the 501 interviews available for analysis, 365 (73%) were with adult suspects and 136 (27%) with juveniles. An AA was present during 212 (58%) adult interviews and 135 (99%) juvenile interviews. The AAs of juveniles, who were mainly family members and friends, contributed more in interview, both appropriately and inappropriately, than did social workers and volunteers, although overall there was little direct intervention bythe AA. Conclusions. Although AAs contribute little to the police interview in terms of verbal interactions, their mere presence during the police interview has three important effects. First, in the case of adults, but notjuveniles, it increases the likelihood that a legal representative will be present. Second, it appears to be associated with less interrogative pressure in interview. Third, in the presence of an AA, the legal representative takes on a more active role.

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Police interviewing and the use of appropriate adults

Cited by 16 publications

References 1 publication

How appropriate are volunteers as 'appropriate adults' for young suspects? The 'appropriate adult' system and human rights

How appropriate are volunteers as 'appropriate adults' for young suspects? The 'appropriate adult' system and human rights

The Performance of Volunteer Appropriate Adults: A Survey of Call Outs

The efficacy of the appropriate adult safeguard during police interviewing

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