Recalibrating the risk of false confession wrongful convictions: Interrogation tactics and inverse probability

False confession wrongful convictions (FCWCs) are a serious failure of the criminal justice system. Although scholars have identified interrogation tactics thought to elevate this risk, existing research rarely estimates the population-level probability that legally permissible methods will produce an FCWC. Instead, inference relies on outcome-selected case series and laboratory diagnosticity ratios that ignore base rates and the far larger universe of interrogations without false confessions. This article offers a methodological recalibration. We formalize the outcome-selection problem and apply inverse probability logic to derive posterior FCWC risk integrating base rates, sensitivity, and specificity. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we synthesize available empirical evidence across a wide parameter space. Across these specifications, median posterior estimates of the probability of a false confession wrongful conviction associated with lawful interrogation tactics cluster near 1 %. We conclude by introducing an Acceptability Curve that clarifies how normative judgments about tolerable error shape policy conclusions. • False confession wrongful convictions associated with lawful interrogation tactics are rare, with posterior medians near 1%. • Recalibrates FCWC risk using inverse probability and population base rates • Corrects outcome-selection bias in false confession research • Estimates posterior FCWC probabilities for legally permissible interrogation tactics • Links empirical risk estimates to policy thresholds via an acceptability curve

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice
Published
2026-01-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2026.102600
Primary Topic
Deception detection and forensic psychology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Recalibrating the risk of false confession wrongful convictions: Interrogation tactics and inverse probability

Scott M. Mourtgos, Ian Tyler Adams
Journal of Criminal Justice
Deception detection and forensic psychology
article

Recalibrating the risk of false confession wrongful convictions: Interrogation tactics and inverse probability

Scott M. Mourtgos, Ian Tyler Adams
article en

Abstract

False confession wrongful convictions (FCWCs) are a serious failure of the criminal justice system. Although scholars have identified interrogation tactics thought to elevate this risk, existing research rarely estimates the population-level probability that legally permissible methods will produce an FCWC. Instead, inference relies on outcome-selected case series and laboratory diagnosticity ratios that ignore base rates and the far larger universe of interrogations without false confessions. This article offers a methodological recalibration. We formalize the outcome-selection problem and apply inverse probability logic to derive posterior FCWC risk integrating base rates, sensitivity, and specificity. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we synthesize available empirical evidence across a wide parameter space. Across these specifications, median posterior estimates of the probability of a false confession wrongful conviction associated with lawful interrogation tactics cluster near 1 %. We conclude by introducing an Acceptability Curve that clarifies how normative judgments about tolerable error shape policy conclusions. • False confession wrongful convictions associated with lawful interrogation tactics are rare, with posterior medians near 1%. • Recalibrates FCWC risk using inverse probability and population base rates • Corrects outcome-selection bias in false confession research • Estimates posterior FCWC probabilities for legally permissible interrogation tactics • Links empirical risk estimates to policy thresholds via an acceptability curve

Journal of Criminal JusticeVol. 103
University of South Carolina (US)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Deception detection and forensic psychology
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