The Psychological impact of False Confession in Criminal Investigations

Author(s)	Vaidehi Goswami
Country	India
Abstract	This present study aims to examine the psychological impact of false confession in criminal investigation with the help of five well known criminal cases. A qualitative research design and case study method was used and the secondary data were collected from the legal records , documentaries , court documents and published research. The findings revealed five major psychological consequences associated with false confessions and wrongful convictions: erosion of personal reality, psychological dependency on authority, identity reconstruction after exoneration, chronic need for self-justification, and loss of psychological safety. These findings suggest that the impact of false confessions extends beyond immediate emotional distress and can significantly affect an individual's sense of self, trust in authority, perception of reality, and overall psychological well-being. The study highlights the importance of understanding false confessions not only as legal failures but also as experiences with profound and long-lasting psychological consequences. The findings contribute to forensic psychology by providing deeper insight into the lived experiences of wrongfully convicted individuals and emphasizing the need for psychologically informed criminal justice practices.
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-24
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84341

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