False Confessions In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Over one-fourth of the cases overturned each year are due to a forced confession (Innocence Project). Yet, forced confessions due to intense interrogation are prevalent throughout the investigative community. Interrogation is not only used in investigations today but was also used during The Salem Witch Trials which can be seen in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible. Due to the use of interrogation and the presence of false confessions in investigations, it is necessary to examine the following research question: To what degree are the Salem Witch Trials affected by forced confessions? In order to better understand how torture is used in the Salem Witch Trials, it is necessary to examine the usage of torture and interrogation in the modern

In 1998, Michael St. John was accused of assaulting his own son and said after interrogation that “I thought I could convince them that I was innocent, but you can’t.” St. John faced nearly eight hours of the Reid Technique and was forced into a false confession. A math teacher also thought he could defeat the Reid Technique he was accused of touching a student’s breast and falsely confessed after being interrogated. The Reid Technique was recently allowed in Canada and judges in Alberta who have experienced cases involving its use have called it a “huge psychological brainwashing exercise.” Another Judge in Manitoba said it was “repugnant to society’s sense of decency,” and urged police to stop using it (Widely Used Police Interrogation

Tituba was questioned repeatedly by Reverend Parris about her involvement in the dancing in the woods and Betty’s illness. After the questioning, Tituba still didn’t admit to convening with the devil. But after Parris said, “You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!” (Miller 42) and Mrs. Putnam claimed Tituba must be hanged, Tituba could not defend herself any longer and falsely confessed. This is similar to what we have seen in the modern world, after the police interrogate a suspect for a long period of time and offer a deal the suspect will often do whatever the police or in this case Parris and Putnam want in order to prevent their death or improve their quality of life for the