NCJ Number
84293
Date Published
1981
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The psychological and physiological factors that influence both the interviewer and the interviewee are discussed, and techniques and strategies likely to produce the maximum flow of accurate information are described.
Abstract
Interviews should be conducted by skilled listeners and communicators immediately after the incident, with subjects being interviewed in the following order: (1) a victim or complainant, (2) a witness who observed the crime, (3) a witness who did not observe the crime but who has important information about anything that preceded or occurred after the crime, and (4) hostile witnesses or suspects. For any interviewees other than hostile ones, the interview should be at the place preferred by the interviewee. Emotional blocks to productive conversation can be removed by the interviewer's encouraging the interviewee to share feelings associated with the incident. This sharing of feelings will build trust and a pattern of sharing thoughts and information with the interviewer. Investigators should never become angry or critical with interviewees, since resentment will stifle information. The interviewer should never show surprise at any information offered by the interviewee, since this would show that the interviewer is only partially informed. The interview should be concluded with the interviewer's summarizing the information provided so that the interviewee may correct any misunderstandings. Interviews of hostile witnesses or suspects should be in the interviewer's office. As much information as possible on the interviewer's background and the case should be obtained before such interviews so the interviewee may have the impression that the interviewer already has the information that may be sought from the interview.