PROBLEM OF INTERVIEWING DRUG-ADDICTS IN CUSTODY - A STUDY OF INTERROGATIVE SUGGESTIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE

The interrogation of drug addicts in custody presents a problem. The r eliability of confessions made either under the influence of drugs or during drug withdrawal may be adversely affected This study explores t he effect of drug use and drug withdrawal on interrogative suggestibil ity and compliance. These two psychological factors are relevant to er roneous testimony. The interrogative suggestibility and compliance of heroin addicts on an inpatient drug unit were measured on opiates, whi lst withdrawing from opiates and drug free. The interrogative suggesti bility and compliance of the group of subjects as a whole did not diff er significantly in these three conditions. However the results did su ggest that a subgroup of vulnerable individuals may have been mom sugg estible when under the influence of opiates. Further work is needed to clarify these results and to aid professionals assessing fitness for interview and cases of retracted confessions.