What are the potential legal outcomes of using coercive interrogation techniques?

Using coercive interrogation techniques can lead to wrongful convictions because these methods often produce unreliable confessions. When individuals are subjected to coercion—such as physical duress, psychological pressure, or threats—they may provide false confessions out of fear, stress, or a desire to escape the situation, even if they did not commit the crime. Research has shown that a significant number of wrongful convictions arise from confessions obtained under coercion, highlighting the danger of such techniques in the justice system.

Furthermore, courts are increasingly scrutinizing the circumstances under which confessions are obtained, leading to potential legal challenges. If a confession is deemed to be the result of coercive practices, it can be ruled inadmissible, leading to serious implications for a case. Thus, the potential for wrongful convictions highlights the critical importance of adhering to ethical interrogation practices that respect the rights and dignity of individuals.