I used to believe that an innocent person wouldn’t confess to a crime they didn’t commit. I was wrong – conversation with Mark Fallon
After the success of season 1, our podcast “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” is back with new episodes hosted by Dr. Ivar Fahsing. In the upcoming episodes, the renowned scholar and practitioner focuses on picking the brains of some of the biggest legends in Investigative Interviewing to discuss the gap between the theory and the practice and moving away from the “common sense” interrogation to science-based interviewing.
Summary
- Mark Fallon’s Advocacy for Ethical Interrogation: The blog highlights Mark Fallon’s extensive career with NCIS and his shift from using harsh interrogation methods to promoting humane, effective, and ethical interviewing techniques, detailed in his book “Unjustifiable Means.” His efforts aim to move US practices closer to European standards, which prioritise human rights and dignity.
- Contrasts in Interrogation Practices: Fallon points out significant differences between the interrogation methods in the United States and Europe, particularly the slower transition in the U.S. from coercive techniques like Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (EITs) to more ethical practices, such as the ORBIT method, which aligns with scientific research and legal standards.
- Impact of Ethical Standards on Justice: The post underscores the potential for profound changes within the justice system through adherence to ethical standards, highlighting how empirical and respectful interrogation methods not only boost law enforcement credibility but also ensure justice and human dignity are upheld.
We are kicking off with a conversation with Mark Fallon, a former NCIS investigator and advocate for ethical interrogation. His career spanned several decades and was marked by significant changes in US military and intelligence interrogation practices. His insights in the newest episode of “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” reveal big differences between United States’ and European methods and underscore USA’s ongoing journey towards more humane law enforcement practices.
Throughout his career, Fallon has participated in major investigations, including the first World Trade Center attack and the USS Cole bombing. These experiences exposed him to the harsh realities and ineffectiveness of torture, driving his shift towards promoting humane and effective interrogation techniques. His book, “Unjustifiable Means,” explores the troubling aspects of US interrogation methods and his personal crusade against them, advocating for a shift towards rapport-based interviewing that aligns with human rights principles.
Unlike many European countries, where ethical standards and human rights are increasingly more embedded in law enforcement practices, the US has historically been slower to abandon coercive interrogation methods, such as the Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (EITs). Fallon’s advocacy highlights the critical need for the US to align more closely with practices that prioritise human dignity and justice in interrogation methods (i.e. the ORBIT method).
Mr. Fallon stresses the need to align modern police interviewing methods with scientific research and strict legal standards to avoid past errors and boost law enforcement credibility. His experience highlights how ethical standards can drive significant change in the justice system, ensuring empirical methods that improve the quality of investigations and interrogation methods that respect justice and human dignity.
His story is not only about transitioning from traditional interrogation to ethical interviewing; it’s about a commitment to justice and the profound impact that one individual’s perseverance and principles can have on the global stage.
To understand the full extent of these issues and the potential for positive change, tune into Ivar Fashing’s discussion with Mark Fallon, where they explore how determination and ethics can bring significant improvements in even the most challenging environments.
