Prosecutors’ perceptions of the effectiveness of police interview practices

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing push for changes in police interviewing practices. Research has primarily examined law enforcement and public perspectives, leaving a significant gap in understanding prosecutors’ views on police interviews. We surveyed prosecutors in California (n = 141) about their perceptions of the prevalence and effectiveness of a series of interview techniques and outcomes. Our sample overwhelmingly rated science-based interview techniques as most effective for prosecution. They also rated the goal of a science-based interview, a ‘true and accurate statement’, as the most helpful outcome of an interview, ranking it higher than both a confession and a statement contradicting evidence. While perceptions of prevalence provide descriptive context, the primary contribution of this study is prosecutors’ evaluations of the effectiveness of science-based interview techniques. These prosecutors determine whether evidence provided by law enforcement, including interviews, is useful in deciding whether to file a criminal case and pursue prosecution. Thus, these findings highlight the practical relevance of science-based interviewing techniques for prosecutorial decision-making.