University of Twente Student Theses
Evaluating the Impact of Evidence Disclosure Techniques and Suspect Status on Rapport, Trust, and Information Sharing during Suspect Interviews
Bovendeerd, L. (2025) Evaluating the Impact of Evidence Disclosure Techniques and Suspect Status on Rapport, Trust, and Information Sharing during Suspect Interviews.
|
PDF
1MB |
| Abstract: | One of the most challenging forms of investigative interviews is interviewing suspects. To optimise interviewer competence, it is important to examine variables that influence interview outcomes. For instance, the interviewer can use different techniques to disclose evidence to the suspect. Although these techniques have been studied in relation to detecting deception, their effects on rapport, trust, and information sharing remain largely unexplored. Moreover, the role of the suspect's status, innocent or guilty, can also influence these outcomes. This research examines how evidence disclosure techniques and suspect status affect rapport, trust, and information sharing during suspect interviews. The study involved an interactive mock crime scenario, followed by a scripted face-to-face suspect interview, and concluded with post-interview questionnaires. To analyse the results, a 2x2 between-subjects design was used. Students from the University of Twente (N = 93) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. The findings suggest that when evidence is disclosed gradually (TUE), suspects are likely to share more information, which can contribute to generating leads and continuing investigations in law enforcement. Additionally, innocent participants reported higher levels of rapport and shared more information than guilty participants, indicating that suspect status affected how participants perceived the interaction and their cooperation. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106600 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page