Final answer:
The PEACE model is an evidence-based framework used in legal investigative interviews to ensure reliability and avoid suggestibility. It applies neutral language and non-coercive techniques, informed by social science research, to improve the accuracy and validity of eyewitness testimonies and other evidentiary information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The PEACE model is an evidence-based interview framework designed for use with victims, witnesses, and suspects. It offers a structured approach to conducting effective interviews while avoiding coercive interrogation techniques. Its key goals are to gather reliable evidence and to ensure that the interview process is both thorough and non-suggestive. The model focuses on building rapport and trust, avoiding leading questions, and working collaboratively with interviewees. This approach helps to increase the overall reliability and validity of information gathered during investigative interviews.
The development and integration of the PEACE model in investigative practices have been influenced by research in various fields, including social science and psychology. It builds on findings, such as those by Loftus regarding the suggestibility of eyewitness testimony, advocating for non-leading questioning techniques for more accurate recall. The model aligns with best practices in community service and psychology, emphasizing trauma-informed, voluntary, and non-judgmental interaction to bolster trust and cooperation from interviewees.
By adhering to the principles of the PEACE model, legal practitioners can enhance the quality of their interviews and the evidence collected, ultimately contributing to more fair and just legal outcomes.