What is a primary technique used to spot false confessions?

The primary technique used to spot false confessions is examining the language used in the confession. This approach focuses on analyzing the content and structure of the confession itself. When individuals provide detailed accounts of events that they did not participate in, inconsistencies or anomalies often emerge in their language.

For example, false confessions might contain indicators such as excessive details that aren't relevant to the crime, contradictions with established facts, or a lack of emotional correlation to the crime being described. Language analysis allows investigators to identify these signs that may suggest the confession is coerced or fabricated rather than a truthful account of the event.

This technique is particularly valuable because it relies on the linguistic patterns that may reveal more about the psychological state of the confessor and the context in which the confession was made. Understanding the nuances of a confession can uncover the motivations or pressures that might lead to a false admission of guilt.