Finding Truth in Confessions

Think police interrogation, and TV’s feisty Det. Andy Sipowicz on “NYPD Blue” comes to mind.

Think again, says UC Irvine criminologist Richard Leo.

The character’s famous pick-’em-up-and-shake-’em technique would be an anomaly in real life.

“Police work today is psychologically oriented. Cops are subtle, not physical,” said Leo, who should know.

He’s made a study of U.S. police interrogation practices and the psychology of false confessions. Leo has been a consultant or testified in dozens of criminal cases involving disputed interrogations and confessions.

The American Society of Criminology is recognizing his work with the Ruth Shonle Cavan Young Scholar Award to be presented at the society’s annual meeting later this month in Toronto. The award recognizes outstanding research conducted within five years of receiving a doctoral degree.

Leo, 35, is an assistant professor of criminology, law and society in UCI’s School of Social Ecology.

Police, he said, get a lot of confessions, and they usually get the right people.

“But sometimes innocent people do falsely confess, get convicted and incarcerated. It’s such a tragedy that our society needs to dedicate more resources to the problem.”

To be considered for this column, please send information on the Orange County person being honored along with a photograph to Lynn O’Dell, the Los Angeles Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. (714) 283-5685.