The Use and Efficacy of Empathy in Police Interviews with Suspects of Sexual Offences

Abstract Many researchers have argued that the use of empathy in police interviews is beneficial to the rapport building process, with some arguing that its use may actually increase the number of admissions from specific cohorts of suspected offenders. Many police training protocols and guidelines also suggest that officers should use empathy during investigative interviews, yet no distinct definition is provided. This paper will provide a review of the current literature in the area and will discuss the meaning of empathy and its effectiveness during police interviews with those suspected of committing sexual offences. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.