Suspect's Statement: Talk and Text in the Criminal Process

Martha Komter examines the suspect's statement from the police interrogation to the trial, showing how it is elicited and written down in the police report, quoted and referred to in court.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 219 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

When a case goes to court, the information provided by suspects to the police can be a vital piece of evidence. However, what happens to the suspect's statement when it is recorded by the police? In her groundbreaking research spanning over fifteen years, Martha Komter delves into the journey of the suspect's statement from the police interrogation to the trial. Through meticulous analysis of a unique dataset, she explores how the suspect's statement is elicited and documented in the police report, how it differs from the original conversation in the interrogation, and how it is quoted and referenced in court. Komter's comprehensive analyses cover interactions in various settings, interconnected through documents that provide insights into the foundations of the criminal process and the construction, character, and uses of documents in institutional contexts.

The suspect's statement undergoes a transformation as it moves from the interrogation room to the written word. The police report, which serves as a formal record of the interrogation, captures the essence of the conversation but may also include additional information or interpretations. Komter examines how the police report represents and differs from the original talk, highlighting the potential biases and influences that can shape the final version. She also explores how the suspect's statement is quoted and referred to in court, examining the ways in which it is used to support or challenge the prosecution's case.

Komter's research sheds light on the complex dynamics between the suspect, the police, and the legal system. She highlights the power dynamics at play, with the police holding the authority.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107698772