Misunderstood responses in police interrogation rooms.

Perske (2010) wrote a position paper for police departments. The paper lists 20 common behaviors seen in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

These behaviors can look like guilt to untrained officers. Examples include poor eye contact, long pauses, or repeating the officer's words.

The paper does not present new data. Instead it argues that officers who know the 20-item list will make fewer false arrests.

Robert urges disability professionals to share the list with local police agencies.

Catania et al. (2015) later recorded real police interviews. They showed some adults with ID can push back against leading questions, but many cannot. Their data support Robert's warning that standard interrogation tactics easily mislead people with ID.

Griffith et al. (2012) surveyed Victorian officers and found police already meet people with ID often, yet rely only on physical cues to spot them. The survey gives numbers to Robert's call for better training.

Matson et al. (2013) asked Independent Third Person volunteers—citizens who sit in on interviews—about police practice. Volunteers rated officers as generally willing to seek help but still needing clearer communication skills. Their view aligns with Robert's list of risky behaviors.

If you teach safety or self-advocacy skills, weave in the 20-item list. Role-play police stops and show clients how pauses or echoed answers can be misread. Then schedule a short in-service with your local precinct: hand them the list, demo a mock interview, and offer to be a phone resource. One hour can prevent a wrongful arrest.