As a forensic psychology professional, you must be aware of and look for signs indicating that an interviewee may be vulnerable. Are they showing any of the indicators for ADHD, ASD, or FASDs? Or, perhaps, they have an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment. For example, do they demonstrate any of the following?
Slow or confused response to questions
Difficulty understanding straightforward questions
Speech difficulties or use of alternative means of communication
Inability to read or write
Unclear concepts of time and place
Difficulty in remembering personal details or events
(Cooke & Davies, 2001)
Individuals with intellectual disability or cognitive impairment are more susceptible to interrogative suggestibility and more likely to respond to leading questions. They are often more compliant in the face of authority, and they are more likely to confabulate and create memories that are false or inaccurate. These vulnerable individuals are also less likely to “appreciate the potentially serious consequences of making false incriminating admissions during police interviews” (Gudjonsson and Joyce, 2011).
References
Cooke, P., & Davies, G. (2001). Achieving best evidence from witnesses with learning disabilities: new guidance. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 29(3), 84–87.
Gudjonsson, G., & Joyce, T. (2011). Interviewing adults with intellectual disabilities. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities.
Group D:
Last name S–Z
Read the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) article (Gudjonsson & Joyce, 2011).
In the first line of your post, identify which article you read.
Describe what you learned from the article and its key findings.
Based on what you have learned about this special population, do you believe the interviewing protocols should be adjusted to take into account the deficits associated with the disorder? Explain why or why not.
Note: Your posts should be substantial (350 words minimum), supported with scholarly evidence from your research and/or the Learning Resources, and properly cited using APA Style. Personal anecdotes are acceptable as part of a meaningful post but cannot stand alone as the entire post.
