NCJ Number
65602
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
EFFORTS OF DETECTIVES AND OFFICERS TO GAIN INFORMATION FROM PERSONS NOT IN CUSTODY ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS FILM FOR POLICE, AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES AND FIELD INTERVIEWS ARE SHOWN.
Abstract
SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IS NOW VIEWED AS AN EFFORT TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM ANY SUBJECT NOT IN CUSTODY, INCLUDING RELUCTANT OR HOSTILE SUBJECTS, USING PARTICULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND QUESTIONING SKILLS. A DRAMATIZED JEWELRY STORE ROBBERY AND MURDER ILLUSTRATE SEVERAL TECHNIQUES FOR SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS. COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW INCLUDE LEARNING THE FACTS FIRST, SIZING UP THE SUBJECT, PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY, ALLOWING THE SUBJECT THE NECESSARY PRIVACY, AND AVOIDING A HOSTILE ATTITUDE. THE OFFICER SHOULD ALSO TALK AT THE SUBJECT'S LEVEL, AND AVOID AN ANGRY RESPONSE. THE FILM ALSO COVERS THE LEGALITIES OF INTERVIEWS BY INTRODUCING THREE BASIC INQUIRY SITUATIONS: (1) A POLICE OFFICER IS SUDDENLY CONFRONTED WITH STRANGERS IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAY AROUSE THE OFFICER'S SUSPICIONS BUT MAY PROVE HARMLESS; (2) THE SUBJECT IS NOT A SUSPECT, NOT IN CUSTODY, AND IS BEING SOUGHT OUT FOR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC INFORMATION; AND (3) A CRIME IS BEING INVESTIGATED, BUT OWING TO VAGUE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SUBJECT COULD BECOME AN INFORMANT OR A WITNESS, OR TURN OUT TO HAVE NO USEFUL INFORMATION. TECHNIQUES OF DEALING WITH COOPERATIVE, RELUCTANT, AND HOSTILE SUBJECTS ARE ALSO ILLUSTRATED THROUGH THE FILM'S DEPICTION OF POLICE INTERVIEWS WITH A POOL HALL OPERATOR AND AN ALCOHOLIC. THE SUBJECT OF HANDLING LYING AND LIE DETECTION IS ALSO COVERED. AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL IS INCLUDED. (AOP)