POLICE INVESTIGATIONS 101
LESSONS FROM SHAKESPEARE’S TITUS ANDRONICUS
Gilles Renaud | Ontario Court of Justice (Retired)
INTRODUCTION
In this article, I document the various elements of guidance and instruction from Shakespeare’s play Titus Andronicus that may result in enhanced excellence in investigative work. Briefly stated, the discussion is organized along broad, thematic lines involving demeanour evidence, interviewing skills, human nature, judgment in investigations, professionalism and other themes. In sum, my hope is that investigators who review these articles will gain insight into basic psychology and will improve their skills in detective work “by the books”, just different ones from the Police Foundations and Police colleges. In that context, I quote from the play at Act 4, sc. i, l. 34:
TITUS ANDRONICUS
… But thou art deeper read, and better skill'd ..
DISCUSSION
Demeanour
- Introduction
In few words, think of demeanour evidence as a form of non-verbal testimony. For example, as set out at Act 1, sc. i, l. 134 of Titus Andronicus we read:
DEMETRIUS
Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome.
Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive
To tremble under Titus' threatening looks… [Emphasis added]
Most people would understand fully what this expression means, but the true debate is whether this denotes a form of menace to intimidate to achieve a result or due to “having a bad day”. Does it suggest an unreliable witness or one subject to the blahs of a long dark winter’s day?
- Blush
The main drawback to demeanour evidence is that wily persons manipulate their emotions to present positive looks. Consider
- First Goth
- What, canst thou say all this, and never blush?
See Act 5, sc. i, l. 121. of Titus Andronicus.
- Countenance
A good example of demeanour evidence in this vein is seen in Titus Andronicus, Act 1, sc. i, l. 264:
SATURNIUS
… Clear up, fair Queen, that cloudy countenance …
On the one hand, we understand that some strong emotion is being “betrayed” by the Queen’s looks. On the other, one may ask “what does it demonstrate and how does it come to be analyzed objectively?” Does it truly show lying or a wish to lie, or a wish to commit violence, etc.?
- Difficulty in interpreting correctly what demeanour might mean
In this context, let us review firstly the telling quote that follows:
MARCUS ANDRONICUS
Perchance she weeps because they kill'd her husband;
Perchance because she knows them innocent.
See Titus Andronicus, Act 3, sc. i, l. 114.
- Eyes
The eyes are the mirror of the soul, it is often suggested, and much fiction and some investigative time is spent, according to the Reid Technique, in examining the movement of the eyes, not to mention court time. In this context, the quote that follows is of interest in pointing out the inherent complexity of attempting to understand what any movement may seek to tell others about the thoughts of the person being scrutinized. As we read in Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. iii, l. 33:
- AARON
- … What signifies my deadly-standing eye …
- Face
The quote set out below from Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. iii, l. 266, is quite illustrative of the suggested value of demeanour evidence and, as well, of its limitations:
TAMORA
Then all too late I bring this fatal writ,
The complot of this timeless tragedy;
And wonder greatly that man's face can fold
In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny.
[Emphasis added]
Demeanour does not allow detectives to reach conclusions that are the result of circular and other poor reasoning. For example, one may not follow this type of nonsense:
LUCIUS
… thy fiend-like face? …
Titus Andronicus, Act 5, sc. i, l. 45.
- Frown
Consider this simple example drawn from Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. i, l. 11:
AARON
… Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait,
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.
- Kneel
Refer to the discussion under the title “Signs”.
- Looks
Refer to the introductory notes. Refer as well to Titus Andronicus, Act 1, sc. i, l. 441:
TAMORA
… Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose,
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart.
Noteworthy also is the passage at the same scene, at l. 459:
TITUS ANDRONICUS
I thank your majesty, and her, my lord:
These words, these looks, infuse new life in me.
- Movements of the head or body might be more objective
I suggest that examples such as what is set out below may be more valuable than the simple examination of the face, for example. Thus:
- MARCUS
- … Ah, now thou turn'st away thy face for shame …
See Titus Andronicus, at Act 2, sc. iv, l. 26.
- Nods
Refer to the discussion under the title “Signs”.
- Signs
It is difficult at times to understand so-called universal signs, such as the thumbs up or head nods and shakes, as they may not be so commonly understood in other cultures. By way of contrast, familiarity with certain persons may allow one to interpret faithfully what they seek to communicate with non-verbal means such as signs. Consider Titus Andronicus, at Act 3, sc. i, l. 143:
- TITUS ANDRONICUS
- Mark, Marcus, mark! I understand her signs:
Had she a tongue to speak, now would she say
That to her brother which I said to thee: …
We read later, at sc. ii, l. 36:
TITUS ANDRONICUS
… I can interpret all her martyr'd signs;
Indeed, Titus adds at l. 43:
… I will learn thy thought;
In thy dumb action will I be as perfect
As begging hermits in their holy prayers:
Thou shalt not sigh, nor hold thy stumps to heaven,
Nor wink, nor nod, nor kneel, nor make a sign,
But I of these will wrest an alphabet
And by still practise learn to know thy meaning.
- Tears
They are a universal sign of some form of distress. What causes the distress, of course, is the question. It might be by reason of the fact that the person being questioned is a victim of wrong and is reliving the harm, but it might not be the case. Consider the case of the witness-victim who has suffered a catastrophic loss in their life earlier and the anniversary of this tragedy is the same day as the interview, unbeknownst to the police investigator. In this vein, note the following:
TITUS ANDRONICUS
… O reverend tribunes! O gentle, aged men!
Unbind my sons, reverse the doom of death;
And let me say, that never wept before,
My tears are now prevailing orators… [Emphasis added]
In other words, oratory refers to the fact of explaining or testifying. See Titus Andronicus, Act 3, sc. i, l. 26.
- Wink
Refer to the discussion under the title “Signs”.
Human nature
Pride cometh before the fall
This well-known expression is useful from two perspectives. On the one hand, investigators must fear sinful pride arising from their successes as many are fond of quoting the related saying, “When the Gods seek to destroy us, first they make us proud!”. On the other, detectives will seek to exploit this fault within the ranks of criminals who might seek to flaunt their material success and open the way to a successful investigation. In the context of the play titled Titus Andronicus, we read at Act 1, sc. i, l. 305:
SATURNINUS
… Full well, Andronicus,
Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine …
Interviewing skills
- Information is sought
At the most fundamental level, this is what your duty commands you to do. As illustrated in Titus Andronicus, at Act 2, sc. iv, l. 1:
DEMETRIUS
So, now go tell, an if thy tongue can speak,
Who 'twas that cut thy tongue and ravish'd thee.
CHIRON
Write down thy mind, bewray thy meaning so …
- Oaths
Detectives in this day and age might well wish to cease to offer witnesses the option of taking a religious oath prior to a KGB or other type of statement. On the one hand, it is pointless and may be insulting to ask persons if they believe in God or a certain Deity and to ask their views on religion leads nowhere; on the other, given the diversity of faiths, you may be met with a request for a Holy Book you cannot supply. It may be best to suggest a solemn affirmation after a warning as to the very real consequences of providing false or misleading information. Thus:
LUCIUS
Who should I swear by? thou believest no god:
That granted, how canst thou believe an oath?
Refer to Titus Andronicus, Act 5, sc. i, l. 71.
Fundamentally, the greatest fear is that a witness will do what is described below, and that you as investigator will judge the lie to be truthful. Thus:
AARON
… As kill a man, or else devise his death,
… plot the way to do it,
Accuse some innocent and forswear myself …
[Forswear means to lie] See Act 5, sc. i, l. 130.
- Reason must be at the heart of the statement provided by victims
It is impossible for detectives to undo the harm visited upon victims that led to the need for them to be interviewed by the police. Nonetheless, the interview process must be one governed by reason in the sense that the desire for justice expressed by victims must nonetheless be couched upon a logical foundation. They must be told that only direct knowledge is being sought, though background information is always welcome and often useful.
The interview with police detectives is not part of their psychological healing that trained professionals will provide, though it may contain some element in the process of seeking justice. In this context, note Titus Andronicus, Act 3, sc. i, l. 218:
MARCUS ANDRONICUS
But yet let reason govern thy lament.
Note as well l. 3 of sc. ii that follows closely:
TITUS ANDRONICUS
… Marcus, unknit that sorrow-wreathen knot …
This quote is to make plain that it is not within your function to instruct victims to cease to experience sorrow or to begin to overcome the harm they have endured. The investigation must be limited to police tasks while directing all available health and well-being agencies and resources to assist victims and other witnesses who have suffered harm.
Finally, note what Titus stated at Act 5, sc. iii, l. 43: “A reason mighty, strong, and effectual; A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant …”
Judgment
- Conclusions must be logical
In all your work, you must ask yourselves whether what you pursue is logical and whether the sum of your conclusions is likewise the result of logical thinking. Shakespeare suggests in Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. iii, l. 149 a similar test:
LAVINIA
'Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark …
This pursuit of logic does not suggest that instinct, or even hunches, are not the correct subject of investigative leads as human activity is not dictated by logic, far from it. The same scene includes this illustration at l. 213:
QUINTUS
I am surprised with an uncouth fear;
A chilling sweat o'er-runs my trembling joints:
My heart suspects more than mine eye can see…
- Deceiving others is common by those seeking to hide actions
Consider this interesting illustration, from Titus Andronicus, Act 3, sc. i, l. 186:
TITUS ANDRONICUS
Come hither, Aaron; I'll deceive them both:
Lend me thy hand, and I will give thee mine.
AARON
[Aside] If that be call'd deceit, I will be honest,
And never, whilst I live, deceive men so:
But I'll deceive you in another sort,
And that you'll say, ere half an hour pass.
- Deeds
In a democratic society, one should be judged on one’s actions, be it as investigator or suspect. In this vein, consider:
AARON
… let my deeds be witness of my worth…
See Titus Andronicus, Act 5, sc. i, l. 104.
- Dissembling may be quite popular
Although I do not possess any statistics, I suspect that untruthfulness is quite common in the work of the police in their task of receiving statements. See Titus Andronicus, Act 1, sc. i, l. 442.
TAMORA
… Dissemble all your griefs and discontents …
- False conclusions
A well-known example of drawing false conclusions is found in Titus Andronicus, at Act 3, sc. ii, l. 80:
- MARCUS ANDRONICUS
- Alas, poor man! grief has so wrought on him,
He takes false shadows for true substances.
Of course, this is in the case of a witness overwrought by fear or other emotion, leaving aside physical injury and the potential effects of medical interventions and medication. But, that said, investigators must be careful not to allow emotions brought about by the tragedy to lead to such erroneous views. On the subject of emotions and sound opinions, see Act 4, sc. iv, l. 10:
SATURNINUS
… His sorrows have so overwhelm'd his wits…
- “Give you a fair investigation, then we hang you!”
The much-repeated line from so many movies is “We will give you a fair trial, then hang you” is the inspiration for this title. Detectives must investigate, not merely accept at face value first impressions. In this context, allow me to set out this passage from Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. iii, l. 300:
SATURNINUS
Thou shalt not bail them: see thou follow me.
Some bring the murder'd body, some the murderers:
Let them not speak a word; the guilt is plain…
[Emphasis added]
If this suggests that one need not interview a person caught red-handed, it is wrong! You do not wish to wait for trial to find out the person charged is a doctor!! The example is far fetched, granted, but it does make plain the dangers of shoddy work.
- Identification evidence
A successful investigator will always question the exactitude of information and in the case of identification evidence, the surrounding circumstances are to be assessed critically. As we read in Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. iii, l. 224:
QUINTUS
If it be dark, how dost thou know 'tis he?
The response points to a ring that is worn on a bloody finger, that served to illuminate the area by reflecting light! One wonders how well this would be received in court.
- Justice, not revenge!
Peace officers advance the cause of justice and never engage in vigilante injustice. You seek to investigate crimes to uphold the rule of law, leaving it to others to prosecute and to judge, respectively. See Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. i, l. 66:
AARON
… That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd
Without controlment, justice, or revenge?
To the same view is this quote, drawn from Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. iii, l. 37:
AARON
… Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand,
Blood and revenge are hammering in my head…
- Promises to witnesses
Detectives have no control over the decisions of prosecutors, the judgments of the Courts or the verdicts of juries. Thus, make no promises! In this context, view Act 4, sc. iii, l. 79, as it illustrates a question often asked and one that can only be answered by saying: “We are dedicated to doing all within our power to bring the guilty party to justice!”
TITUS ANDRONICUS
… Shall I have justice? …
- Self-defence does not apply
In effect, the quote that follows sums up this kind of finding and your work as an investigator requires you to be capable of such definitive findings, if the evidence warrants this type of conclusion. And, if it does not, to reach courageous findings that no crime was committed.
LUCIUS
My lord, you are unjust, and, more than so,
In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son.
See Titus Andronicus, Act 1, sc. i, l. 292.
Professionalism
- Advice, never hesitate to seek out
In this context, consider what we read in Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. i, l. 123:
AARON
… And she shall file our engines with advice …
In this context, note as well Act 4, sc. i, l. 92.
MARCUS ANDRONICUS
… That we will prosecute by good advice…
- Bold in leadership
Investigators who succeed are often noted for the bold steps they undertake and how well they motivate their teams. For example, we read in Titus Andronicus, Act 5, sc. i, l. 14: “First Goth …Be bold in us: we'll follow where thou lead'st…”
- Patience
It is vital for successful investigations that officers display patience and make decisions after deliberation. Thus, they must not question themselves as does Tamora who asked: “… Why have I patience to endure all this?” See Titus Andronicus, Act 2, sc. iii, l. 88.
- Testimonial skill and the ups and downs of court
No witness such as a police officer will retire without having a bad day in court. As an experienced police investigator stated to me once, “Well, sometimes you say, … it, drop back 15 and punt”, which means you take your lumps as might a quarterback who is sacked behind the line for a great loss, and you get up, kick the ball away, and start fresh. In this context, read from the play at Act 4, sc. i, l. 123.
- TITUS ANDRONICUS
- … Marcus, look to my house:
Lucius and I'll go brave it at the court:
CONCLUSION
Every person charged with the duty to serve and protect wishes to retire and have it said of them that they were “friends in justice”. As we read at Act 1, sc. i, l. 80:
MARCUS ANDRONICUS
… Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome,
Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been …