Which type of false confession occurs without any prompting from investigators?

The correct answer is voluntary false confession. A voluntary false confession occurs when an individual admits to a crime that they did not commit without any pressure, manipulation, or prompting from law enforcement officials. This type of confession typically arises from various psychological factors, such as a desire for notoriety, a need to protect someone else, or mental health issues.

In contrast, coerced internalized and coerced compliant confessions involve some level of influence or pressure from investigators. In coerced internalized confessions, the individual comes to believe they might have committed the crime, often due to suggestive questioning tactics by investigators. Coerced compliant confessions occur when a person admits to a crime to escape a stressful interrogation situation or to gain some perceived benefit, such as a lighter sentence.

Involuntary confessions, while similar, are often associated with conditions such as duress or coercion but may not fit the criteria for voluntary confessions as they can involve external pressure influences, albeit in a more extreme form.

Understanding these distinctions is vital for forensic interviews, as it helps interviewers and investigators identify the legitimacy of a confession and safeguard against false admissions that could lead to wrongful convictions.