Reid Technique

Reid Technique

1. Theme Development

   • As the interrogation progresses, the detectives expand a thematic account to rationalize the suspected person's conduct. They offer another possibility in which the victim's death may have been an unplanned accident thought as a wrong date outcome. To diminish possible moral culpability, the detectives gave out reasons that seemed plausible enough, such as instances getting out of hand that "got ugly" with women or they acted based on the victims' provocation/cunning. They adopt a tender manner of talking using the phrase "things happen"; today, he can tell his side of the story to "make it right" instead of leaving a negative one-sided story behind.

2. Positive Confrontation

   • As a first step, the investigators start interrogating Markoff by showing him compelling evidence connecting him to the crime scene. They highlight his involvement mainly by giving an air of pressure and the impression that he has to engage as quickly as possible in the discussion. The officers interrogate Markoff, stating that there is "a strong likeness and image to yourself," which means he is responsible for the acts. Furthermore, one detective points out, "I can tell you as I sit here in my limited capacity, there's a photograph in one of the surveillance photographs...there's a strong likeness and image to yourself."

3. Overcoming Objections

   • Little by little, Markoff gets fed up. He says he wished to have a lawyer, appealing in this way: "I wish I had a lawyer here" and "If you could get me a lawyer, I would appreciate it," and the detectives do not question his objections. They tell him that if he wishes to consult a lawyer, there will be a suspension in the session, which will comply with his rights, but they subtly motivate him to proceed with the interrogation willingly. The interviewer, as such, strives to maintain peace and ensure the interview is free-flowing by avoiding unnecessary confrontation.

4. Having the suspect orally relate various details of the offense.

   • Having Markoff admit guilt by formulating one of the given alternatives, the investigator is supportive and introduces this admission by claiming, "Okay, listen. Nobody ever meant for things to go how they went, but this is what happened." Next, the investigator prompts a quick review of the details of the case orally and then asks questions specifically regarding the events that transpired. This tactic aimed to consolidate the confession and force Markoff to confess to the crimes and give credence to his testimony by producing sufficient evidence.

5. Handling Denials

   • When the suspect starts to refute his involvement in the incident, the detectives do not allow him through indications of all the evidence stacked up against him and the fact that only suspects try to deny their involvement in an incident; that is why innocent people do not fight for their innocence because it is an unusual behavior for the innocent subjects. In every instance Markoff denies he is the one who was at the murder site, investigators choose to keep directing their questions to him instead of arguing with his repeated negations. When he tries to evade, they retort, "It doesn't help," and expect him to recollect and state why he's at the place where camera surveillance had caught him.