I need assistance with writing my problem statement and defining the consequences or topics that matter around my focus for my research paper on false confessions.

Here is my introduction:

Introduction

False confessions represent a critical issue within the criminal justice system and often lead to wrongful convictions and severe miscarriages of justice. High-profile cases such as the West Memphis Three, the Central Park Five, Jeffrey Deskovic, Huwe Burton, Henry McCollum, Leon Brown, and Eddie Gill highlight the devastating impact of false confessions, as well as the need to understand the factors contributing to false confessions, particularly among vulnerable populations. Research has shown that 22% of cases involving false confessions had exculpatory DNA evidence available at the time; however, the accused was still wrongfully convicted.Research has also shown that 61% of those who DNA exonerated had false confessions involved in their cases (33 confessed themselves, 20 had co-defendants who confessed, and another 30 confessed themselves and had co-defendants who confessed (2024).

Studies have shown that coercive interrogation techniques, including prolonged questioning, the use of leading or suggestive questions, promises of leniency, and isolating the suspect, increase the likelihood of a false confession (Koen & Bowers, 2018). These techniques can harm vulnerable populations, who may be more compliant or easily manipulated under pressure (Schatz, 2018).A study conducted by Redlich et al. (2010) examines individuals with mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system and shows that 61% of those who had falsely confessed to a crime did so because they wanted to go home, end questioning, or avoid jail.

This paper will examine coercive interrogation techniques and their role in false confessions among vulnerable populations. False confessions are involuntary admissions of guilt that occur due to external coercion or internal vulnerabilities (McGrath, 2014). Vulnerable populations, such as individuals with mental illness, intellectual impairments, and juveniles, are at a heightened risk of admitting to crimes they did not commit due to their limited ability to withstand the psychological stress of police interrogations (Schatz, 2018).

Problem Statement