Innocent people do confess to terrible crimes they had nothing to do with. Psychologists are investigating factors that contribute to false confession – including how well-rested a suspect feels.
In the Netflix series Making a Murderer, Brendan Dassey is subject to interrogation tactics known as the ‘Reid technique’.
Netflix
Innocent people do confess under interrogation to crimes they did not commit, even providing details about the crime. What leads them to falsely confess to very serious crimes?
Every state and territory in Australia permits sentences of life without parole.
AAP/Dave Hunt
As a country that claims to uphold the human rights of all – including those before the law – Australia should take notice of international practice when it comes to life imprisonment.
Despite the popular perception, most psychopaths aren’t coldblooded or psychotic killers. Many live successfully among us, using their personality traits to get what they want.
Questions remain about the evidence against Steven Avery.
Netflix
Marginalised outsiders, community conflict and a bad reputation – the prosecution of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey has all the hallmarks of the early modern witchcraft persecution. Warning: spoilers ahead.
Police are important, but not sufficient, in the crime-reduction effort. I have enormous faith in their abilities, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we need more of them.
Much about the ‘Ndrangheta’s history and current operations in Australia remains shrouded in mystery.
Marco Derksen
The undeniable difference between men and women when it comes to committing crime should be reflected in a fundamentally different approach to the sentencing of women.
Sydney’s Kings Cross precinct has 3AM ‘last-drinks’ laws and 1:30AM lockouts for premises that serve alcohol.
AAP/April Fonti
As Queensland considers new laws to curb alcohol-fuelled violence in response to a one-punch death, several policy experiments that have occurred in recent years can provide valuable lessons.
The Law Council of Australia has called for the end of mandatory sentencing, so is it time to put a stop to this ineffective and disproportionate system?
Dean Lewis/AAP
As the Law Council of Australia calls for the end of mandatory sentencing, it might be time for the Australian government to evaluate and resolve the troubles of this problematic system.
At a time when Australia is discussing the adequacy of legal responses to domestic violence, decisions that serve to lessen the culpability of men’s violence against women are undoubtedly concerning.
Attempts to disrupt the supply of ice have helped reveal the nature of the problem in Australia.
AAP/Tom Campagnoni