78 Laying Down the Risks (1/2)
”The reason for trying to get him to say that he was at the scene and not to the actual crime is to afford Richard multiple options that he can choose from. The detective wants to see which story Richard takes on. An outright accusation will lock up the suspect and cause them to deny everything as a reflex. They would probably request legal counsel and stop the interrogation.
”Leaving an exit strategy for the suspect results in a higher chance of acknowledgment. Richard could, hypothetically, say that he was at the scene but also mention alternate reasons why he was there. It wouldn't be a confession but it would get the detective leeway to question the alibi. It would further build the case.”
Now that was a lot to think about. I quickly wrote everything he had down. In detail.
Psychologically speaking, once someone has complied with a smaller request, they are more likely to comply with a larger demand.
”I called you in and gave you the respect you deserved because I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. But both of us know that you were at the victim's house and I need to know why.” You had to give it up for the detective. This was some good police work. No threats or manipulation, simple conversation tactics to make the other person speak.
Richard was looking down and not replying. The detective placed a palm on his cheek and waited for a response.
”I don't know what to say...” Richard's composure was breaking and it was evident. He could see his alibi slowly falling apart and in some part of his subconscious mind, he probably knew that whatever he said would lead to his conviction.
”You need to explain it because this is a problem. These decisions aren't made by me. Right now we have a search warrant to check your house. So your wife knows what you are being accused of.” From the blurry side angle, I could see Richard's eyes widen and then sharply close. ”Your summer house is also being searched and your vehicle has been seized.”
There was no way out for him. That was the ultimate message.
”We will get a match with your DNA by the end of the evening. This is a major investigation and there is a big, dedicated team working on it twenty-four-seven. You have the opportunity to take some control and have some explanation that anybody is going to believe is quickly expiring.” I had never heard someone politely threaten another person.
”Ah, yes. We are quite familiar with the reframing technique. Attributes of it are used in our linguistic courses,” I reported to him softly.
Sebastian nodded. ”Another aspect of it is the gain he will get from confessing: the suspect will get to spin his own narrative of the crime and effectively sound better than the situation actually was. The other person at the scene is already dead, there would be no one to refute. But dead bodies and evidence speak, especially with modern forensic tools.”