Interviewing

1. Interviewing George N. Saxton

2. Interviewing Most Interviewers Learn by Trial and Error and by Watching Others.

3. Interviewing Interviewing Is a Specialized Skill Learned by Training and Experience.

4. Interviewing • Honesty, integrity, objectivity

5. Interviewing • Seeks only the truth

6. Interviewing • Ability to establish rapport

7. Interviewing • The ability to listen and evaluate responses.

8. Interviewing • Ability to maintain self-control and not get emotionally involved.

9. Interviewing • Interview. • The questioning of an individual believed to possess information or knowledge of interest to an investigator. The subject is willing.

10. Interviewing • Interrogation. • The questioning of an individual believed to possess information or knowledge of interest to an investigator who is reluctant to make a full disclosure of information.

11. Background Information • Know as much as possible about the violation, the person being interviewed, and yourself.

12. Conducting an InterviewWhen Should I conduct the Interview? • Sooner is better in most cases however certain issues can have an effect: • Availability of the Subject & Interviewer • Legal Maneuvering • Information Collecting Efforts • Preparation of the Interviewer • Securing the proper place for the interview

13. Conducting an InterviewWhere Should I conduct the Interview? • Consider Privacy: • MAJOR issue • provide a sense of confidentiality / safety • control noise as much as possible • help the subject feel comfortable

14. Conducting an InterviewWhere Should I conduct the Interview? • Avoid “Police-ish” Rooms or Offices select a room without: • large obvious locks on the door • metal reinforced glass in windows • shelves of legal books or regulations • impediments to the exit • covered, mirrored or draped areas that might cause one to think a third party is watching

15. Conducting an InterviewWhere Should I conduct the Interview? • Minimize Distractions: • no pictures, posters, plaques, ornaments • walls and ceiling should be painted in a neutral color with no distinctive pattern or design • no pencils, clips, papers etc within reach of subject • do not allow access to purses, back packs during the interview. • no access to cell phones, pagers • no access to room by anyone during the interview

16. Conducting an InterviewWhere Should I conduct the Interview? • Select an area with proper lighting: • light should illuminate the subject’s face well but not be glaring. • interviewer must be able to see the subject’s face at all times. • Interviewer’s face should be clearly visible to the subject at all times.

17. Conducting an InterviewWhere Should I conduct the Interview? • Chair Placement: • interviewer and subject should be 4-5 feet apart, facing each other directly, without anything between them. • Chairs should be standard office type with straight backs. • Chair heights should be identical. • If an interpreter is used they should be next to the interviewer and at an angle to the subject.

18. Are you the right person to do the Interview? • Just because it is your case does not always mean you should do the interview: • avoid ownership and turf issues • The right person has: • a solid understanding of human nature • patience (lots of it) • experience and is well trained in doing interviews • expertise in the legal parameters for their agency

19. Are you legally, mentally & emotionally prepared for the Interview? • Do you have authority to conduct this interview? • Is any kind of warning to the subject required by policy or law? Is there a particular right or privilege to which the subject is entitled? • Have you reviewed the file and do you know it in detail? • Are you prepared to deal with any unpleasant or offensive conduct or information in the interview?

20. The Dynamics of the Interview • Avoid creating the impression of an interview seeking an admission • Keep Pencil & Paper out of sight • Dress less formally unless otherwise indicated • Avoid “charging” words like illegal, violation, steal, lie etc. • Have someone bring the subject to you (?) • Be aware of the subject’ personal space • Stay seated, don’t pace

21. Time and Location • Interview as soon as possible after the incident.

22. Separate Witnesses • Separate witnesses immediately and always interview in private.

23. Separating Witnesses • Separating witnesses will: • Reduce confusion. • Protect the integrity of an eyewitness account. • Reduce the possibility of a rehearsed statement or joint alibi.

24. Introduction and Identification • Properly identify yourself and show your credentials.

25. Interviewing • Obtain personal identification of interviewee.

26. Personal Information • Obtain: • Full name and nickname • Address • Date of birth • Social security number • Employment • Occupation • Telephone numbers • Other information?

27. Interviewing • Set the mood. Be friendly – or at least professional.

28. Interviewing • Establish normal, friendly communications. Try to calm the subject.

29. Plan the Interview • Nature of complaint • Law/regulation • Individuals involved • Documents/records • Other resources

30. Interviewing • Be general, not specific

31. Questioning Techniques • What happened? • When did it happen? • Where did it happen? • Why did it happen? • How did it happen? • Who was involved?

32. Questioning Techniques • Avoid “yes” and “no” questions: • Did you see what happened? • Didn’t you see the drugs? • You were not in the office, were you? • Did you enter the office? • Did you drink a whole lot that night? • Did he touch you there?

33. Questioning Techniques • Listen carefully for vague, misleading and inconsistent answers. Have them repeat or rephrase their answers.

34. Questioning Techniques • Begin with non-hostile questions. • Develop facts in order of occurrence. • Keep questions simple and clear. • Give the subject time to answer the question. • Keep the subject talking.

35. Questioning Techniques • Question how the information was obtained: • Seeing • Hearing • Touching • Smelling • Tasting

36. Questioning Techniques • Evaluate the reliability of the witness. • Reputation. • Ability to remember. • Personal interest. • Age.

37. Note Taking • Take notes unless note taking inhibits the subject

38. Note Taking • Listen to initial information. • Take accurate, detailed notes. • Note others present during the interview. • Note date, time, location and ending time of the interview.

39. Note Taking • Tape recorders or video cameras: • Legal issues • Practical issues

40. Concluding the Interview • Summarize and verify the information. • Review information for accuracy and completeness. • Ask witness to verify information.

41. Concluding the Interview • “Is there anything else you need to add to this statement?” • “Is there anything I haven’t asked you?” • Express your appreciation and re-establish rapport.

42. Concluding the Interview • Let the interviewee know how to contact you if they think of anything else. • Make sure you know how to contact them if you have further questions.

43. Interrogation • Elicit full disclosure of the facts by: • Inspiring confidence • Breaking down silence

44. Interrogation • Open lines of communication by establishing rapport.

45. Interrogation • Avoid appearance or words of authority. • Avoid negative words about the incident. • Show concern for the subject’s well-being. • Open with non-threatening communication.

46. Interrogation • Create an image of a “respected figure.” • A. professional attitude • B. sympathy • C. understanding • D. firmness • E. fairness

47. Interrogation • Plan the interrogation. • Have a goal of complete disclosure. • Identify first admission • Be persistent and patient.

48. Interrogation • Rationalization Techniques • Minimize the incident • Exaggerate what the subject did not do. • Shift the blame.

49. Interrogation • “So what” techniques will assist in rationalizing his or her actions. • “So what, everybody does it.” • “So what, you had no choice.” • “So what, who cares?”

50. Interrogation • Creating the verbal vacuum. • “I know that you did it and you know that you did it. If you are going to lie to me, I would just as soon you didn’t say anything at all.”