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Interviewing adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- GUDJONSSON Gisli H., JOYCE Theresa
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 5(2), March 2011, pp.16-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
People with intellectual disabilities are recognised as being at a disadvantage when coming into contact with the criminal justice system as victims, witnesses or suspects. Their disadvantage relates to all components of the criminal justice system, but the focus in this paper is on police interviews and the capacity of adults with intellectual disabilities to give evidence in Court. The aim of the paper is to consider the research evidence on the relevant vulnerabilities and most effective ways of interviewing people with intellectual disabilities, and to outline some practical guidance on how those working with people with intellectual disabilities can ensure that they enable them to give an account of the difficulties they may be experiencing. Research into the types of vulnerability seen by people interviewed by police have focused on interviewees' understanding of the Oath and their legal rights, suggestibility, acquiescence, compliance and perceptions of the consequences of making self-incriminating admissions. The essential components of any interview and testifying in court require that the person can communicate effectively and give reliable answers and accounts of events. Research into police interviews has highlighted the importance of taking into account the interviewee's vulnerabilities and providing appropriate support. The research suggests a need for a more humane approach to interviews and legal reforms to protect vulnerable people testifying in Court.