EFFECTIVE INTERVIEWING - MORE THAN A MERE PROCESS OF QUESTIONING

• NCJ Number: 27873
• Journal: Law and Order Volume: 23 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 18,20-23
• Author(s): P A PALUMBO
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Copp Organization, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SEVERAL INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES ARE DISCUSSED, RANGING FROM THE PROPER SETTING FOR THE INTERVIEW TO THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHODS OF QUESTIONING.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH MANY INTERVIEWS ARE CARRIED OUT IN THE FIELD, UNDER DISTRACTING OR STRESSFUL CONDITIONS, THE AUTHOR STATES THAT MOST INTERVIEWS CAN BE CONDUCTED IN QUIET CONTROLLED SURROUNDINGS. THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH FACTORS AS THE PHYSICAL DISTANCE BETWEEN THE INTERVIEWER AND INTERVIEWEE, THE TONE SET DURING THE INITIAL CONTACT AND THE COURTEOUS ATTITUDES OF THE INTERVIEWER IS STRESSED. SIGNS THAT MAY INDICATE WITNESS RELUCTANCE TO DISCUSS CERTAIN TOPICS ARE OUTLINED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE INTERVIEWER FIRST ALLOW THE WITNESS TO TELL HIS ENTIRE STORY WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. DIRECT, YES-NO, OR LEADING QUESTIONS SHOULD BE AVOIDED, AS THESE MAY LIMIT AND DIVERT THE INFORMATION THE WITNESS MAY PROVIDE. DIRECT QUESTIONS, HOWEVER, MAY BE USED TO CLARIFY OR EXAMINE EARLIER STATEMENTS.