PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUSPECTS INTERVIEWED AT POLICE STATIONS - A FACTOR-ANALYTIC STUDY

In the present study an exploratory factor analysis was performed on s ome psychological characteristics of 156 suspects detained at two poli ce stations in the south-east of England. The detainees had been asses sed psychologically shortly before they were interviewed by the police . Four factors emerged: (1) mental health, (2) memory and suggestibili ty, (3) previous criminality and (4) literacy and IQ. There was little overlap of item loadings on the first three factors, which indicates that some of the psychological characteristics of suspects detained at police stations may not be as clearly linked as is sometimes assumed.