Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation (From Investigative Interviewing: Rights, Research, Regulation, P 190-206, 2006, Tom Williamson, ed. -- See NCJ-214231)

• NCJ Number: 214241
• Author(s): Joseph P. Buckley
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This overview of the Reid technique of interviewing and interrogation discusses distinctions between interviews and interrogations, setting up the interview/interrogation room, the nine steps of interrogation, and factors that contribute to false confessions.

Abstract

The Reid technique of interviewing and interrogation has evolved over 43 years as updated through the fourth edition (2001) of the initial publication of the technique in "Criminal Interrogation and Confessions" (Inbau and Reid, 1962). The current version of the Reid technique is taught in seminars across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia by John E. Reid and Associates, Inc. In June 2004, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Missouri v. Seibert, recognized John E. Reid and Associates as a law-enforcement training resource that properly teaches the advisement of Miranda rights. Reid's nine steps of suspect interrogation are applicable with persons whose guilt seems reasonably certain based on existing evidence. The nine steps are labeled as the positive confrontation, theme development, handling denials, overcoming objections, procurement and retention of a suspect's attention, handling the suspect's passive mood, presenting an alternative question, developing the details of the offense, and the written confession. The Reid technique includes both an "interview" and an "interrogation" process. An "interview" is nonaccusatory, has the objective of collecting information, may be conducted early in an investigation in a variety of environments, is relatively unstructured, and may involve taking written notes. An "interrogation" is accusatory, involves active persuasion, has the objective of learning the truth, is conducted in a controlled environment, is conducted only when the suspect's guilt is reasonably certain, and involves note-taking only after the suspect has fully told the truth. Steps are described for setting the environment for the interrogation and taking steps to reduce the risk of false confessions. 4 references