NCJ Number
87601
Date Published
1982
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Interviews, which are intended to obtain information from a witness, and interrogation, which is intended to confirm a suspect's guilt or innocence, should use methods appropriate for the purpose of each.
Abstract
An interview should be conducted where the witness will feel most comfortable, and the importance of the witness' information should be expressed. Short and direct questions pertaining to the case should be used. Throughout the interview the interviewer should be sensitive to the feelings and perspective of the witness. A useful method for obtaining information is the free narrative -- an orderly, continuous account of the incident given without prompting. The interviewer must designate the specific occurrence to be discussed. The interviewer will take notes and also tape the interview, with transcriptions of the tape signed by the witness to ensure validity. Should the interviewer suspect that the witness is involved in the crime, then the interview should be terminated and the suspect informed of his/her legal rights. The interrogator should not create the impression that he/she is only interested in a confession from the suspect but rather that the goal of the questioning is to determine the truth and obtain all pertinent facts. The interrogation should be free from all distractions, and the demeanor of the interrogator should be relaxed, patient, and free of any intimidation or authoritarianism that might put the suspect on the defensive. Eye contact should be maintained with the suspect at all times. The suspect must not be allowed to take charge of the interview. Questions should be prepared prior to the interrogation, and must be pertinent, short, and direct. Notes and recordings are to be taken of the suspect's answers, and questions should be repeated to verify answers. At the beginning of each period of investigation, the suspect should be informed of his/her legal rights. The bibliographic listings are provided.