Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 281,616 playable programmes from the BBC

Experts on Trial

3. False Confessions

Duration: 14 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Can expert witnesses change criminal justice systems? Author and criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw lays bare the secret world of expert witnesses. An expert on the reliability of memory, she has submitted evidence in more than 50 trials in the UK, US, and Canada. In this series, she dives into five seminal legal cases where the outcome hinged on a crucial piece of expert evidence.

In this episode, Julia tells the story of the Guildford Four, -four young people who confessed to the IRA bombing of a pub in Guildford in 1974. Professor Gisli Gudjonsson, a forensic psychologist, provided expert evidence in the appeal showing how the wrong interrogation tactics can lead to miscarriages of justice.

Dr Julia Shaw speaks with professor Lawrence Allison, an investigative and forensic psychologist. They speak about the correct way to interview terrorism suspects, false confessions, and the ways in which expert evidence can change criminal justice systems for the better.

Presenter: Dr Julia Shaw
Produceer: Simona Rata

A TellTale Industries production for BBC Radio 4 Show less

About this data

This data is drawn from the data stream that informs BBC's iPlayer and Sounds. The information shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was/is subject to change and may not be accurate. More