Page:FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 54 (8).pdf/32



Subject: Well, I can't say if I have or I don't. There are a lot of aspects of this crime I can't give an answer, cause I put up a mental block. I don't want to think of it. It makes me do bad time. I'm doing a long time and I just block it clear out.

The murderer confirms the likelihood. that the fantasies are there; however, additional techniques, such as hypnosis or therapy, would be needed to access the information.

Continuum of Admission

The offender generally took one of three positions regarding guilt-ad­mitting the crime, admitting lack of total recall, and not admitting the crime. In our study, the majority of murderers admitted their crimes. Some of the murderers turned them­selves in to the police; others admit­ted to the crime when they were ap­prehended. Still others admitted guilt

when confronted with evidence. As one murderer told the interviewing agents, "The police unwrapped the broom handle and that did it." Several of the murderers interviewed were unable to remember actually commit­ting the murder, but agreed the evi­dence incriminated them.

One group of murderers inter­viewed did not admit to their crimes even after their convictions for the murders. When confronted with such individuals, the interviewer should at­ tempt to determine if the individual is lying (which implies conscious intent) or if the individual is denying (which implies subconscious intent).

To the offender, lying to an inves­tigator provides a form of control. It may detour the investigator and waste valuable time, as in situations in which incorrect names and addresses are given.

One way investigators identify lies is on the basis of the amount of detail a subject provides. Fantasy worlds or delusions are usually very detailed. However, when a subject tries to feign psychosis or delusion, his story usually appears inconsistent and lack­ing in detail. Investigators detecting this type of defense and bringing it to the offender's attention may be suc­cessful. In one case, the murderer claimed to have committed the mur­ders because of instructions from a centuries-old dog. The Agents refused to accept this ploy. They pointed out good naturedly that the murders had been carefully planned and executed, which was a lot to expect from a dog. The murderer finally accepted the "credit" for the crimes and discussed them in detail with the interviewers. Even when suspecting that a subject is lying or denying, the interviewer should try to maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect.

There are reasons why a suspect might deny a crime. The denial might serve to protect the subject from legal action as well as from the psychologi­cal impact of admitting such a crime. One murderer interviewed denied any actual knowledge of committing the crime. He stated that he was coerced, forced to confess to the crimes, and possibly drugged before entering a plea of guilty. In the interview with the 30 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin