The efficacy of the appropriate adult safeguard during police interviewing

Abstract

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.

Experiences of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Policing in England and Wales: Surveying Police and the Autism Community

“…There is concern amongst police, however, over whether AAs always fully understand their role and whether they might, in some instances, be detrimental to an interview (e.g., by intervening inappropriately or even offering the suspect an alibi during interview) (Cummins, 2011;Medford, Gudjonsson & Pearse, 2003). Nevertheless, the mere presence of an AA has been shown to have some beneficial effects for vulnerable adult suspects, such as decreasing interrogative pressure in interviews, and encouraging the presence and better ASD informed involvement of legal representation (Medford et al, 2003). Moreover, many within the ASD community in the present study felt that the presence of a supportive third party was, or would have been, beneficial.…”

Safeguarding Youth Interrogation Rights: The Effect of Grade Level and Reading Complexity of Youth Waiver Forms on the Comprehension of Legal Rights

“…A more comprehensible means for delivering rights to youths (guided by developmental science research) appears to be needed. In addition, police organizations and policymakers may wish to explore the mandatory presence of an appropriate adult or lawyer whenever a youth is interviewed (see Medford, Gudjonsson, & Pearse, 2003, for an assessment of one example of this type of approach in the UK). Until such a time, police interviewers are urged to take additional steps to verify and ensure comprehension of legal rights when interacting with young detainees (e.g., get them to repeat the rights back in their own words) rather than merely reciting the words contained in a youth waiver form.…”

The Psychology of Confessions

“…The impact of a legal advisor is a case in point. There is evidence that the mere presence during interrogation of a responsible adult who is not a lawyer (known in England as an ''appropriate adult,'' a legal requirement in cases involving juveniles and mentally vulnerable suspects), even if he or she does not intervene directly in the process, may positively influence the behavior of the police and legal advisors (Medford et al, 2003).…”