Memory Phenomena and False Narrative Creation: An Examination of Suggestibility, Confabulation, and Source Misattribution in Criminal justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Settings

This training will examine various memory phenomena that can cause false narrative creation and its implications within criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings. In particular, three types of memory phenomena will be the main focus of this training: suggestibility, confabulation, and source misattribution. Suggestibility is a person’s predisposition to accepting inaccurate information as fact and incorporating this into memories of an event. In contrast, confabulation occurs when a person creates a new inaccurate memory of an event. Despite no deliberate intention to lie or deceive others, instances of suggestibility and confabulation can undermine everything from assessment and treatment to confessions and eyewitness testimony. For example, false information provided by a person during screening and assessment can contribute to missed or misdiagnoses, which contributes to inappropriate and ineffective treatment and intervention plans. Alternatively, false information provided during police interviews and interrogations or legal proceedings can result in false confessions, inaccurate eyewitness testimony, and wrongful convictions. Complicating matters, common techniques used during police questioning and cross-examinations like repetitive questioning and negative feedback only exacerbate the risk of these phenomena within forensic mental health and legal settings. The seriousness of these memory phenomena within criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings warrants training in this area.

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), intellectual and developmental disabilities, confabulation, suggestibility, memory, Miranda rights comprehension issues, sleep disturbances, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.