For nearly eight decades, John E. Reid & Associates, Inc. has set the standard for ethical and effective investigative interviewing. Our longevity is rooted in a simple principle: a commitment to continuous learning, refinement, and adaptation as research, technology, and society evolve. Just as medicine, education, athletics, and countless other fields have transformed over the past generation, so too must the practices that guide investigative interviewing.

The Reid Technique has always been designed to protect the innocent and identify the guilty. When properly applied according to established protocol, the Reid Technique has not, does not, and will not cause false confessions. However, as with any professional methodology, deviations from protocol can place certain individuals in vulnerable positions. We take this reality seriously and remain committed to ensuring that our training reflects the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and judicial guidelines.

There has never been a more structured, humane, and persuasive process for obtaining the truth from individuals who have engaged in misconduct or criminal behavior. At the same time, we recognize that concerns arise when accusatory techniques are used in cases where guilt has not been reasonably established. While false confessions are rare, even a single instance is unacceptable.

In response—and consistent with our longstanding dedication to protecting the innocent—John E. Reid & Associates is amplifying its training protocol. The Reid Technique will continue to begin with Factual Analysis of all available information at the outset of the investigation, followed by a non-accusatory, non-confrontational, and objective interview, as currently taught. Our training will reinforce and emphasize that investigators should further establish a suspect’s guilt to the level of “reasonably certain” before entering the phase of the Reid Technique that includes the Nine Steps of Interrogation.

We recognize that some cases—such as child sexual abuse—are largely circumstantial and may not yield conclusive evidence. In such situations, investigators may possess strong circumstantial indicators and be reasonably sure of a suspect’s guilt. Reid has always required investigators to reach the standard of “reasonably certain” before initiating the Nine Steps of Interrogation, and to subsequently corroborate any admission of guilt through the follow-up investigation. A simple statement such as “yes, I did it” is wholly insufficient to establish guilt.

During the non-accusatory interview phase, Reid has always emphasized clarifying facts, exploring inconsistencies, and encouraging truthful dialogue without presuming guilt. We will further reinforce the importance of seeking the threshold of “reasonably certain” before initiating the Nine Steps. It is unrealistic to require conclusive evidence before interrogation, as oftentimes such evidence is not available in many cases. In fact, a suspect’s statement may lead to conclusive evidence—but obtaining that statement often requires the structured approach of the Nine Steps of Interrogation.

This expanded emphasis on the principle that investigators should establish a suspect’s guilt to the level of “reasonably certain” before entering the phase of the Reid Technique that includes the Nine Steps of Interrogation underscores the core values that have defined the Reid Technique for nearly 80 years: ethical practice, respect for the individual’s rights, and an unwavering commitment to truth and justice. We believe this enhancement will further protect the innocent, support investigators in their pursuit of reliable information, and reinforce the trust our clients have placed in us for generations.

The following represent behaviors that are likelyt o use false confessions, as compared to the Reid Principles of Practice:

"Coercive Investigator Behaviors That Can Cause False Confessions"
"• Physical abuse of the subject
• Threats of physical harm
• Threats of inevitable consequences*
• Promises of leniency**
• Denial of rights
• Denial of physical needs
• Excessively long interrogations
• Disclosure of crime details
• Failure to properly take into account the subject’s mental limitations and/or psychological disabilities
• Failure to properly modify approaches with socially immature juveniles
• Failure to properly corroborate confession details

* threats that if the subject does not confess, he will be sent to the penitentiary for a more serious crime; threats that his family members will be arrested, threats that he would never see his children again if he did not confess, etc
** making a promise that if he confesses, he will be released from custody; that he will not be prosecuted; that he will be granted a pardon; or that he will receive a lighter
sentence than the law prescribed, etc.’" "•

"Reid Core Principles and Best Practices to Prevent False Confessions"

• Do not make any promises of leniency
  • Do not threaten the subject with any physical harm or inevitable consequences
  • Do not deny the subject any of their rights
  • Do not deny the subject the opportunity to satisfy their physical needs
  • Withhold information about the details of the crime from the subject so that if the subject confesses, the disclosure of that information can be used to confirm the authenticity of the statement
  • Exercise special caution when questioning juveniles or individuals with mental or psychological impairments
  • Always treat the subject with dignity and respect
  • Conduct an interview before any interrogation. Absent a life-saving circumstance, the investigator should conduct a non-accusatory interview before engaging in any interrogation
  • Conduct an interrogation only when there is reasonable certitude that the suspect committed the offense under investigation or is withholding relevant information
  • Attempt to verify the suspect's alibi before conducting an interrogation
  • When interrogating a non-custodial suspect, do not deprive the suspect from his freedom to leave the room
  • Do not conduct excessively long interrogations.
  • When a suspect claims to have little or no memory for the time period when the crime was committed, the investigator should not lie to the suspect concerning incriminating evidence
  • Electronically record the interview and interrogation
  • Given current judicial and legislative trends regarding the use of deception during an interrogation, investigators should adopt a general practice of avoiding misrepresentations concerning incontrovertible or dispositive evidence"