Interpreters and Major crime investigations

1. Interpreters and Major crime investigations Kerry Marlow, MartynHilbourne, ZoraJackman, Tomas Vitek, Elsa Cowie, Frances Rock and Christopher Lewis

2. Objectives • To identify methods of improving the quality of interpretation • To identify guidance for briefing prior to interview • To identify guidance in explaining legal processes and the commencement of the interview • To identify effective questioning skills

3. Methodology • Murder case scenario on 2 Advanced suspect courses of 15 days duration. This scenario was in the final 5 days of the course. • 16 interviewers involved. They interviewed in pairs and 16 interviews were conducted. • The suspect in the case was of Czech nationality. A lawyer was present and a registered interpreter. • The conduct of the interviews simulated operational reality. This involved pre interview briefings of the lawyer. The lawyer briefing the suspect in the presence of an interpreter. Interviews ranging between 25 to 30 minute duration. • Each section of the process was debriefed and learning and procedural guidance developed and applied during subsequent interviews.

4. Procedural outcomes • Preparation of any pre interview briefing in writing for lawyer to be reviewed by interpreter for any linguistic issues. • 2. Briefing session with interpreter prior to interview to identify issues of understanding of legal jargon and words, other words that may become relevant during the course of the interview and ground rules for the interpreter. • 3. Preparation with the interpreter of an individual procedural memo card for the introduction of the suspect interview

5. Memo Card Interpreter 1. The interpreter is independent. (S)he is not employed by the police. 2. The interpreter is bound by confidentiality. (S)he will not discuss anything said in this room with anyone else. 3. The interpreter will interpret everything that is said without adding, omitting or changing anything. 4. The interpreter is not allowed to give advice or his/her opinion. 5. We should speak directly to each other and the interpreter will repeat exactly what we say. 6. We should pause after one or two sentences to enable the interpreter to remember what was said and how it was said. (S)he may take notes to help memory and will hand these in at the end. 7. If the interpreter needs to interrupt for any reason, (s)he will use a hand signal and explain the reason in both languages.

6. Interpreters The development of an effective questioning style Account “What happened next” Confined to the next sequential segment of the story “What happened after that” Confined to the next sequential segment of the story Q’s Q’s Q’s Q’s Q’s A series of linguistically simple specific questions to establish Physical Action Verbal Interaction Thoughts

7. Examples of practice • 4 video clips • Procedural introductions • Questioning • Questioning • Challenge phase of interview

12. Questions? Please visit www.fuzzylaw.cardiff.ac.uk for further guidance enquiries@investigativeinterviewing.co.uk Martyn.Hilbourne@south-wales.pnn.police.uk