Stokoe2015b

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Stokoe2015b
BibType INCOLLECTION
Key Stokoe2015b
Author(s) Elizabeth H. Stokoe, Derek Edwards, Helen Edwards
Title “No comment” responses to questions in police investigative interviews
Editor(s) Susan Ehrlich, Diana Eades, Janet Ainsworth
Tag(s) EMCA, Police, Question design, Response, Non-response
Publisher Oxford University Press
Year 2015
Language English
City Oxford
Month
Journal
Volume
Number
Pages 289–318
URL Link
DOI 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199945351.003.0013
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title Discursive Constructions of Consent in the Legal Process
Chapter

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Abstract

This chapter investigates the way a particular right within the British legal system, that suspects “do not have to say anything,” is explained by police officers in investigative interviews, and how suspects enact this right using the formulaic response “No comment.” The chapter draws on data that were transcribed and analyzed using conversation analysis, focusing on instances in which suspects under-exercised their right not to answer questions using “No comment.” The chapter reveals that the formulaic design of “no comment” responses was treated by all participants as a legitimate and effective way of conducting a police interview, in a way that oriented to legal requirements, but some explanations of suspects’ rights not to say anything implied that exercising that right may be treated as evidence of guilt. The chapter ends with consideration of the ramifications of the right, its articulation, and enactment.

Notes