54 
tion, say: “Are you willing to make an affidavit that you 
are not guilty in this case?” Or, if this has been done, 
“You are still going to swear to this in court?” Then. 
“You probably know the Federal law on such testimony?” 
Read aloud the statute respecting perjury, emphasizing 
the heavy penalties provided. If they have lied, this 
seldom fails to start them hedging, and finally to bring 
a confession. Care must be used, however, not to give 
them any comeback in court by doing this as a threat. 
It is always an officer’s right to inform persons of the law- 
Keeping temper .—Always keep your temper. A man 
who loses his temper is at the mercy of a cool opponent. 
You can not afford it, no matter what the provocation; 
the accused may be trying to “get your goat.” 
VALUE OF CONFESSION. 
A confession is not admissible in court unless it is made 
of the prisoner’s own free will, free from promise or threat, 
and without misapprehension as to its possible use against 
him. For these reasons it is always liable to successful 
attack by the defense, even if the accused does not re¬ 
pudiate it in court. The latter contingency can be 
guarded against by having a witness to the making; be¬ 
cause in the event that the prisoner is discharged by the 
court, it may then be possible to convict him for perjury. 
Whatever the fate of the confession itself, it should always 
be obtained, or tried for, since it may bring out valuable 
admissions or facts, which can then be run down and 
established by independent evidence, making them as 
valid as any other facts similarly established. The 
established contradictions of a confession will likewise 
be of the greatest value in court. After getting a con¬ 
fession, the questioning should be continued, to obtain 
such facts, if they have not already been obtained. If 
you can stay friendly enough with the suspect to get him 
to tell you just how the deed was done, not only will this 
object have been attained, but you will have reinforced 
your own knowledge of criminal methods and motives. 
Write down all such conclusions and lessons for future 
guidance. 
