BBC Radio 4 The SCAN Technique

"Today" programme 8.55 a.m. Thursday 18 May 2000

SCAN was the subject of a five minute broadcast and forming a major part of it were two speakers. This is what they said:-

Does it work?

Dr Barry Irving, The Police Foundation, London
"Just because it is being used by a large number of police forces (Australia, Canada, USA), does not mean that, when it is subjected to independent scientific testing, the benefits will be down to the kit or technique"

Richard Brewer, Chief of Detectives, Oklahoma State Police
"It has been very successful. We've had a lot of admissions and confessions come right down to SCAN. You know it's just really something and I was just completely amazed at the whole thing when I went through training. I couldn't believe how well it worked." (Note. Oklahoma crime clear up rates have risen sharply)

Is it ethical?

Dr Barry Irving
"There is a great value in having pieces of kit like this around with an almost magical air to them because they can get some wonderous results simply by frightening suspects into thinking that lying is no longer a viable option"

Richard Brewer
"A SCAN technique is a non-threatening thing. No threatening questions are asked. No one is accusatory and because some of the questions are indirectly asked people just go ahead and confess."

If you are in doubt

Richard Brewer
'I think they need to look at it, go to school, train. I don't know how it works or why it works but it works. They just need to go ahead and try."