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Good cop-bad cop: delegating interrogations

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandro Ispano
  • Péter Vida

    (Université de Cergy-Pontoise, THEMA)

Abstract

A decision-maker who aims to find out the truth from a suspect delegates to an interrogator with possibly different preferences. The ideal interrogator is always biased, sometimes nicer and sometimes tougher. The decision-maker can further improve by delegating to a nicer interrogator when the evidence is weak and to a tougher interrogator when the evidence is strong. Provided the decision-maker does not learn the details of the interrogation, she may then equivalently retain authority over decisions. Sequential delegation with leniency for perjury can implement the optimal mechanism with full commitment.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Ispano & Péter Vida, 2022. "Good cop-bad cop: delegating interrogations," THEMA Working Papers 2022-12, THEMA (THéorie Economique, Modélisation et Applications), Université de Cergy-Pontoise.
    • Handle: RePEc:ema:worpap:2022-12
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    File URL: http://thema.u-cergy.fr/IMG/pdf/2022-12.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    bias; questioning; lie; confession; authority; evidence.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General

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