Biography

Texas A&M International University - Criminal Justice

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, at Texas A&M International University
Higher Education
Kate
Houston
Laredo, Texas
I have a PhD in Cognitive Psychology, with a focus on eyewitness testimony evidence, from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, where I was supervised by Professors Amina Memon, Brian Clifford and Louise Philips. My Post-doctoral work was completed at the University of Texas at El Paso in the United States of America, under the mentorship of Professor Christian Meissner, where I transitioned my research into the domain of developing evidence/science based interrogation techniques.

My main research focus is strategies to enhance the accuracy and reliability of information elicited during interviews and interrogations, while reducing the likelihood of false confessions/false admissions. Specifically, I investigate the effects of interrogative strategies, rapport building and interpreter use in a variety of contexts, from police (suspect interrogations), to military (detainee interrogations) to intelligence operations (source interviews). I conduct research which is strongly rooted in theory but which has application within the legal system and national security contexts. Finally, my work also considers the role of emotions in the creation and retrieval of memories.