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The Influences of Gradual and Late Disclosure of Evidence and Guilt and Innocence of a Suspect on Verbal Cues to Deception and Cognitive Load

Quintana Pérez, Malena (2025) The Influences of Gradual and Late Disclosure of Evidence and Guilt and Innocence of a Suspect on Verbal Cues to Deception and Cognitive Load.

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Abstract:This study examines investigative interviewing of suspects looking into how to detect deception. This can be done using evidence disclosure techniques such as Tactical Use of Evidence (TUE) disclosure and Strategic Use of Evidence (SUE) disclosure. This are methods of disclosure of evidence during the interview with attempts to judge the veracity of the suspect and discriminate between guilty and innocent people. These techniques affect verbal deception cues (Statement Evidence Inconsistencies (SEI), Within Statement Inconsistencies (WSI)) and cognitive load in guilty vs. innocent suspects. Based on SUE theory, guilty suspects adopt avoidance strategies, increasing inconsistencies when evidence is strategically withheld. Tactical Use of Evidence (TUE) reveals evidence incrementally, trying to increase cognitive strain and verbal deception cues. This technique causes extra cognitive load for liars who need to readjust their strategies throughout the interview, while making things easier for truth tellers by providing retrieval cues. A 2-way ANOVA (N=93) tested these effects. Guilty suspects showed higher cognitive load (M = 3.11, SD = 0.69 vs. M = 2.57, SD = 0.77, p < .001), more SEI (M = 3.88, SD = 1.29 vs. M = 1.52, SD = 1.21, p < .001), and WSI (M = 1.80, SD = 1.40 vs. M = 0.34, SD = 0.65, p < .001) than innocent subjects. However, disclosure type (SUE vs. TUE) had no significant effect on cognitive load (p=.880), SEI (p=.576), or WSI (p=.169), though a marginal interaction suggested SUE may increase WSI in guilty suspects (p=.074). However, disclosure type (SUE vs. TUE) had no significant effect on cognitive load (p = .880), SEI (p = .576), or WSI (p = .169), though a marginal interaction suggested TUE may increase WSI in guilty suspects (p = .074). These findings support the idea that cognitive load and verbal inconsistencies are useful indicators of guilt, but not clearly influenced by disclosure method. Limitations such as small sample size and skewed data suggest these results should be interpreted with caution and confirmed by future research.
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/107102
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