The Thomas Quick Case: a lesson on the importance of ethical investigative interviewing

Investigative missteps unveiled 

Key errors in Quick’s interviews were marked by the use of leading questions and the acceptance of questionable confessions without solid evidence. These flawed practices, exacerbated by the lack of reliable police interview recording equipment, resulted in miscarriages of justice. Quick’s admissions, largely shaped by suggestive and coercive interview techniques, were accepted without the scrutiny that recording could have offered.  

Frequently, Quick was under the influence of prescription drugs, rendering him a vulnerable interviewee. From today’s perspective, it is clear that he should have been interviewed in a very different way. First, the police should have used investigative interviewing instead of suggestible interview methods, next all interviews should have been recorded, and finally, much more caution should have been given to the fact that he was under heavy medication during interviews. If fact, getting more drugs might have been his main motivation to keep telling the lies.  

Discover more about transitioning from traditional interrogation to Investigative Interviewing. 

The role of recording interviews in preventing false confessions 

Had Davidhorn’s Investigative Interviewing recording systems been in place, the outcome of the Thomas Quick case might have been drastically different. Reliable and transparent recording of Quick’s interviews and fair interview technique while interviewing a suspect  

could have provided an objective account, helping to identify inconsistencies and prevent the acceptance of coerced or fabricated confessions. Interview recording technology ensures that every detail of the interview is captured, preserving the integrity of both the process and the evidence. 

Read more about the role of recording interviews in the UN Manual on Investigative Interviewing.

Davidhorn’s commitment to ethical interviewing practices 

At Davidhorn, we recognize the gravity of cases like Thomas Quick’s and the indispensable role of ethical interviewing and recording technology. Our solutions provide an objective, tamper-proof record of interviews, fostering a transparent and fair investigative process. We believe that the integration of recording technology in investigative interviewing can prevent similar tragedies and ensure justice is served through accurate and ethical practices. 

Want to learn more about how to work with vulnerable witnesses?

Written by Marta Hopfer-Gilles 

Fact checked by Ivar A Fahsing (PhD) 

(Chat GPT was used while creating this blog)