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MUN Psych & Law Lab

@munpsychlawlab.bsky.social
388 followers 36 following 87 posts

Tweeting the importance of research on human behaviour in the criminal justice system. Improving justice administration through applied research and training.

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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
These findings add to growing concerns about the disproportionate weight assigned to confessions and clarify how evidence is weighted across evidentiary contexts. Enjoy the holiday! 🇨🇦
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
We also found that what people said mattered most didn't always match how they actually weighed the evidence.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
What did we find? DNA and confession evidence had the strongest influence on guilt ratings. Moreover, confession evidence emerging as a particularly potent predictor – even when contradicted by exculpatory DNA evidence.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Using a policy-capturing approach, participants (N = 100) evaluated 32 vignettes that varied the presence and nature (inculpatory vs. exculpatory) of five evidence types. Participants provided guilt ratings and rank-ordered each evidence type by importance.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Confessions are powerful, but just how powerful? We examined how confession evidence shapes lay perceptions of guilt alongside other common forms of evidence.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Happy Canada Day!! 🍁 Get some fresh air during gatherings/ BBQ? Check out our new paper Evaluating Confessions in Context: A Policy-capturing Study by Madi Hynes and Brent Snook. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Evaluating confessions in context: a policy-capturing study
Given the well-documented risks associated with confession evidence, we examined how confessions influence lay perceptions of culpability, alongside other common forms of evidence. We hypothesized ...
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
This chapter reviews empirical data on home-to-crime distances and spatial patterns (e.g., distance decay), followed by theories of offender spatial decision-making, and the application of geographic profiling, with a particular focus on serial murderers.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Such spatial behavior patterns led to theories such as the principle of least effort, cognitive maps, routine activity, rational choice, crime pattern theory, and bounded rationality. Researchers have also leveraged these findings to develop investigative tools such as geographic profiling.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Decades of research have shown that crimes, including serial murders, are typically committed near the offender’s residence, with offending frequency declining as distance increases.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Despite being a starkly different—and criminal—action, the decision about where to offend is driven partially by similar human motivations and opportunities.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Humans are inherently lazy! We use the fastest and frugal methods to accomplish tasks. For example, leaving your home to buy milk. With all things being equal, most people will head to the nearest convenience store instead of traveling to the other side of town.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Morning reading for fun (4/n)? We have you covered 😃 . Our new book chapter, Serial Murder Spatial Behaviour: Data, Theory, and Application, by Tianshuang Han and Brent Snook, is now available in The Psychology of Serial Murder. link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...
link.springer.com
Serial Murder Spatial Behavior: Data, Theory, and Application
Humans often choose the fastest and frugal way to accomplish tasks—offenders are no exception. Decades of research have shown that crimes, including serial murders, are typically committed near ...
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
These findings demonstrate continuing barriers in housing access for individuals with criminal justice involvement and mental illness, highlighting ongoing stigma and discriminatory behaviour faced by exonerees as well as people with mental health conditions.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Furthermore, reporting a mental illness intensified the negative effects associated with having a criminal record.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Exonerees’ treatment was like that of individuals who had been rightfully convicted. Landlords were also less likely to respond and reply that an advertised unit was available when a prospective tenant mentioned having a mental illness.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Results revealed that landlords were less likely to respond to inquiries and indicate the availability to individuals who mentioned having a criminal record.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
In this field experiment, we contacted landlords across Canada who advertised apartments on Kijiji (N = 1,224) using six inquiry scripts that varied in whether they mentioned a criminal record and/or a mental illness.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
We examined potential housing discrimination against exonerees with mental illness in the Canadian rental market.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Lunch break and looking for a read? Our latest paper is out in Psychology, Crime, & Law🍷 Housing stigma: the effects of wrongful conviction and mental illness by Tianshuang Han, Kelsey Downer, Laura Fallon & Brent Snook. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Housing stigma: the effects of wrongful conviction and mental illness
We examined potential housing discrimination against exonerees with mental illness in the Canadian rental market. We sent inquiries to landlords advertising apartments online across Canada, using s...
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Reading for a coffee break ☕️: check out our lab research Replication, a Hallmark of Good Science: Unraveling the Factors that Predict Replication Success by Malcolm Grant, Brent Snook & Cathryn Button doi.org/10.20982/tqm...
doi.org
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Reading for a coffee break ☕️: check out our lab research Replication, a Hallmark of Good Science: Unraveling the Factors that Predict Replication Success by Malcolm Grant, Brent Snook & Cathryn Button doi.org/10.20982/tqm...
doi.org
:= TQMP.ORG =:
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
In short, researchers need to prioritize reliability and conduct self-replications before publishing. Doing so may help to alleviate the problem of failed replications and lead to more accurate estimations of the effects under investigation.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Our findings highlight the importance of direct replications and underscore the need for reliable measurement techniques.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
The estimates of true effect sizes were more accurate, aligning closely with the values specified in the simulation, under the same conditions associated with replication success.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
However, sample sizes (i.e., those typically found in experimental psychological research) contributed relatively little to replication success.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
In our simulation, a successful replication was most likely when the initial findings had already been replicated once by the original author and when measurement reliability was high. Greater replication success was also associated with narrow CIs around effect-size estimates.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
In a Monte Carlo simulation of the research process, we examined several characteristics of research studies that might predict replication success (i.e., when both studies show similar effect sizes), and when estimated effect sizes reflect true effects.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Looking for some summer reading? Check out our lab's research by Madi Hynes and Brent Snook: “Potential Jurors’ Perceptions of Interrogations and Confessions in Canada.” www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
tandfonline.com
Potential jurors’ perceptions of interrogations and confessions in Canada
Canadian potential jurors (N = 377) were surveyed about their perceptions of police interrogation practices, confession evidence, and factors contributing to false confessions. Most respondents (85...
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Looking for some summer reading? Check out our lab's research by Madi Hynes and Brent Snook: “Potential Jurors’ Perceptions of Interrogations and Confessions in Canada.” www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
tandfonline.com
Potential jurors’ perceptions of interrogations and confessions in Canada
Canadian potential jurors (N = 377) were surveyed about their perceptions of police interrogation practices, confession evidence, and factors contributing to false confessions. Most respondents (85...
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
The findings suggest that potential jurors may possess some accurate understandings of confession dynamics but also hold significant misconceptions.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Respondents also underestimate the risks of false confession due to implicit coercion during interrogations. Encouragingly, 85% support expert testimony on false confessions.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
This research on Canadian potential jurors (N=377) reveals a paradox: 85% surveyed respondents recognize that false confessions happen, yet 56% still see confessions as strong evidence of guilt.
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Kirk Luther @kirkluther.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
1/#APB Summer 2025 Spotlight Day 20! Many people misunderstand police use of force - how often it’s used, officer shooting accuracy, & training levels. Research by Ariane-Jade Khanizadeh, Craig Bennell, & Heather McGale tests if public education can fix that. 🧵👇
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Naomi Oreskes @naomioreskes.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
With government science and regulation under attack, I thought I’d reshare this: The Myth That May Have Doomed the Titan www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Myth That May Have Doomed the Titan (Published 2023)
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CREST @crest-research.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
👋 To help us celebrate 10 years of CREST this October, we’re collecting case studies, quotes, stories, and stats to show how our work has been used in policy, practice, research, or teaching. And we want to hear from YOU! 👉 lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
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Kirk Luther @kirkluther.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
1/ #APB Summer 2025 Spotlight, Day 14! Can mindfulness help officers manage stress, burnout, and mental health? Léa Plisson & Shannon Ferguson highlight new a meta-analysis of mindfulness training in policing. 🧵👇
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Kirk Luther @kirkluther.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
1/ 🧠 How much do we remember about a totally ordinary day...months later? Today’s #APB brief by yours truly😉, Madison Harvey, & Heather Price tackles memory recall for “unremarkable” events that only became important in hindsight. 🧵👇
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
The ultimate responsibility of scientists is to uphold and speak for the truth, no matter ideological leanings. Regardless of how often and how loudly one repeats a lie—in some cases, lying about lie detection—it will not become the truth, and we should not surrender.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
It is imperative that scientists not remain silent on “controversial” issues to maintain an appearance of being neutral, or say, apolitical. Nor should they give in to political censorship or censor themselves due to dogmatism.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Forewarning on fake debates was found to have minimal effect. Although our forewarning fell short in countering the power of false balance to overshadow consensus data, a glimpse of hope lies in communicating these descriptive norms, which indeed deliver empirical facts to people
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Results showed people intuitively believe nonverbal cues reliably indicate deceit. Even after learning expert consensus is that nonverbal lie detection is futile, balanced comments reduced their perceived expert consensus and policy support for discarding such practices.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Following the data, they read either no comments from experts, balanced comments (3 from each expert on opposing sides), evidentiary balanced (5 from a deception detection expert and 1 from a contrarian expert), or same opposing comments with a forewarning (3:3 + fore; 5:1+fore)
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
We recruited members of the public, first asked their beliefs in nonverbal lie detection, and then had them read one of five versions of a media report indicating nearly 90% surveyed experts agreed that nonverbal cues are unreliable indicators of deception.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Therefore, we examined if false balance (fake debate) distorts people’s estimation of expert consensus pertaining to non-verbal lie detection, even after viewing the data. More importantly, we tested whether forewarning people about a fake debate protects them against harm.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
The disproportionate hype around body language and microexpressions in lie deception creates a illusion of controversy. Fake experts also fuel fake debates, making misinformation on par with scientific facts and imposing a dangerous false balance.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
One of the most contentious topics is nonverbal lie detection. There is strong scientific consensus that nonverbal cues cannot reliably detect lies. However, the fringe notion of nonverbal lie detection has permeated pop culture, media, and remains popular among practitioners.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Misinformation spans various societal issues and domains, including deception detection. Despite substantial empirical evidence on what works, this high-stake area remains riddled with misconceptions and deceitful practices about how to catch a liar.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
What if we view misinformation as an errant golf ball? Does shouting fore before it reaches people protect them against nonsense. Do scientists have an obligation to try to protect people by shouting out for warnings?
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
A common practice in golf is for players to shout fore when an errant ball is heading towards others. This simple act is significant as it protects others from getting injured and it’s a form of insurance to show that the ball striker made every effort to protect someone else.
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MUN Psych & Law Lab @munpsychlawlab.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
1/🚨Our new paper in Legal and Criminological Psychology🚨 Fore! Does Forewarning Inoculate People Against the False Balance Effect? By Tianshuang Han, Brent Snook, and Martin V. Day www.researchgate.net/publication/... doi.org/10.1111/lcrp...
doi.org
Legal and Criminological Psychology | BPS Forensic Psychology Journal | Wiley Online Library
Background & Aims We examined the effect of falsely balanced messages on perceptions of expert consensus about non-verbal lie detection and whether forewarning inoculates people against the fake deb.....
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