Chapter 3

1. Chapter 3 Privacy and the Interview Room

2. The Importance of Privacy • Privacy • The principal psychological factor contributing to a successful interview or interrogation. • A suspect or witness is much more apt to reveal any secrets in the privacy of a room occupied only by himself and the investigator than in the presence of an additional person.

3. Minimize Reminders of Consequences • It is psychologically improper to mention any consequences or possible negative effects that a suspect may experience if he decides to tell the truth. • Not all reminders of consequences are made verbally. • Facing the consequences or visual reminders of consequences can have the same effect during an interview or interrogation.

4. Minimize Reminders of Consequences • Police paraphernalia such as handcuffs, mace, or badges should be covered or not worn during an interview. • The walls of an interview room should not contain police memorabilia. • crime scene photos, display of agency patches, or certificates indicating attendance at interrogation seminars.

5. Suggestions for Setting Up the Interview Room • Considerations for setting up an interview room: • Establish a sense of privacy • Minimize reminders of consequences • Remove locks and other physical impediments • Remove all distractions • Select proper lighting • Minimize noise • Arrange chairs properly • Create an observation room, or equip the room with an electronic recording system

6. Suggestions for Setting Up the Interview Room • Privacy • The room should be quiet with no distractions. • There should be an alternative means of protection against any attempts to escape. • Locks • For noncustodial interviews, there should be no lock on the door or no physical impediment to an exit by the suspect if he desires to leave the building.

7. Distractions • Visual • Eliminate distractions unless they are to be used as a prop • Rooms should be plain color, smooth walls, and not contain pictures or ornaments on the walls. • Noise • No phone in the room. • Cell phones or pagers should be off or on vibrate.

8. Suggestions for Setting Up the Interview Room • Chair Arrangement • Chairs should be separated by about four feet and should directly face each other, without a desk, table, or any other objects. • Straight back chairs should be used. • Should be on the same eye level if possible.

9. Suggestions for Setting Up the Interview Room • Observation Room • If there is no observation room, a third person may be present. • Some state statutes specify that a juvenile suspect can only be interviewed in the presence of a parent or guardian. The third party should sit in back of and to the side of the suspect. • A suspect’s own home or office is an inappropriate setting for an interrogation.

10. Suggestions for Setting Up the Interview Room • Observation Room • The interview room should be equipped with a microphone and video camera to record interviews. • The camera should be concealed and positioned off to the side. • This provides an opportunity for investigating officers to observe and hear the interview. • Suspect’s behavior can be evaluated. • If female suspect, a female officer can be stationed in the observation room to ward off false accusations. • If suspect is alone, he can be observed so he doesn’t escape or commit suicide.