Laying Down the Risks

"He is essentially telling Richard that he is a friend and that the detective can only do what is within his power if Richard acknowledges the accusation. For now, the detective will be okay if he simply says that he was present at the scene of the crime."

"The reason for trying to get him to say that he was at the scene and not to the actual crime is to afford Richard multiple options that he can choose from. The detective wants to see which story Richard takes on. An outright accusation will lock up the suspect and cause them to deny everything as a reflex. They would probably request legal counsel and stop the interrogation. 

"Leaving an exit strategy for the suspect results in a higher chance of acknowledgment. Richard could, hypothetically, say that he was at the scene but also mention alternate reasons why he was there. It wouldn't be a confession but it would get the detective leeway to question the alibi. It would further build the case."

Now that was a lot to think about. I quickly wrote everything he had down. In detail.

Psychologically speaking, once someone has complied with a smaller request, they are more likely to comply with a larger demand.

"I called you in and gave you the respect you deserved because I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. But both of us know that you were at the victim's house and I need to know why." You had to give it up for the detective. This was some good police work. No threats or manipulation, simple conversation tactics to make the other person speak.

Richard was looking down and not replying. The detective placed a palm on his cheek and waited for a response. 

"I don't know what to say..." Richard's composure was breaking and it was evident. He could see his alibi slowly falling apart and in some part of his subconscious mind, he probably knew that whatever he said would lead to his conviction. 

"You need to explain it because this is a problem. These decisions aren't made by me. Right now we have a search warrant to check your house. So your wife knows what you are being accused of." From the blurry side angle, I could see Richard's eyes widen and then sharply close. "Your summer house is also being searched and your vehicle has been seized."

There was no way out for him. That was the ultimate message. 

"We will get a match with your DNA by the end of the evening. This is a major investigation and there is a big, dedicated team working on it twenty-four-seven. You have the opportunity to take some control and have some explanation that anybody is going to believe is quickly expiring." I had never heard someone politely threaten another person.

Sebastian jumped in. "The narrative technique was a variant of the reframing technique which is when the interrogator reframes the risks associated with not cooperating and the gains associated with cooperating. In this situation, the detective is laying down the risks: his wife has found out, his subordinates will find out, his power will be taken away from him and everyone will know what he has done. The authority in his words, the authenticity of it will not only be questioned but also disregarded completely."

"Ah, yes. We are quite familiar with the reframing technique. Attributes of it are used in our linguistic courses," I reported to him softly.

Sebastian nodded. "Another aspect of it is the gain he will get from confessing: the suspect will get to spin his own narrative of the crime and effectively sound better than the situation actually was. The other person at the scene is already dead, there would be no one to refute. But dead bodies and evidence speak, especially with modern forensic tools."

"But how is it possible to create their own narrative when the evidence is laid down in front of everyone?" I asked, confused. 

"Think of it this way. Though we have all the evidence, we were not present at the scene of the crime. In that way, we can't have an 'authentic' scene apart from the one Richard gives us."

"But according to forensic science, the body is supposed to tell the details," I countered, trying to grasp the meaning. 

"No. We can't know what happened exactly. The particulars can change the whole sentencing of the criminal. Think of it in that way." Sebastian's explanation made sense. Actual crime scenes were different from the ones people saw on the television. There were no omniscient detectives running around imagining the whole scene play out to the smallest details.

"I understand. But also, this technique gives the suspect a sense of power in how his life will pan out henceforth."

Sebastian grinned. "Exactly." I gave him a proud smile and turned back to the video.

"Okay..." there was a long pause. "Give me some time."

"Sure. When the evidence comes in and that phone rings… your credibility is gone. Because this is how it works and I know you are an intelligent person and you don't need an explanation. Your mind must be racing right now and it's normal. I have sat across from a lot of people in your position. Bottom line is, as soon as we get that piece of evidence that solidifies it… it's all over." Pause. "You know you have one option… what other option do you have?" The detective supplied. So, there it was. 'You have no option.'

"What is the option?" Richard asked, crossing his arms over his chest in a defensive position. Or was it that he was trying to hold himself together? 

"I don't think you want to be seen as the cold-blooded psychopath." He didn't spell out the option. "I might be wrong. I have met people who enjoy and get off on notoriety. They liked that label. I don't see that in you." 

This, again, was the reframing technique. Here the detective was insinuating that Richard was not a monster, at least in his eyes. 

"I wouldn't be talking to you if I thought you were a monster. I could have sent someone else in."