NCJ Number
77789
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1978) Pages: 52-58
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
An associate professor of medical psychology and an experienced detective present suggestions for interviewing victims and informants and for interrogating suspects.
Abstract
The writers explain that an interview consists of two parts. First, the person interviewed should be given an opportunity to release emotions and to gain assurances of safety. Then, information concerning the crime is obtained. Effective interviewers avoid a 'just the facts' attitude, impatience, boredom, and the use of emotionally charged words. In addition, they do not criticize a victim, stop explanations abruptly, add their own comments on the facts, or lose control of the interview. They ask open-ended questions, avoid bias, and adapt their language and method of approach to the social class, condition, intelligence, and personality of the victim or informant. Suspect interrogation is complicated by the duty to inform suspects of their rights, by the complexities of rules and protections surrounding admissions of guilt, and by other legal aspects. A good opening to an interrogation is an impersonal, professional statement concerning the purpose of the interrogation. The interrogators should have as many facts on the case as possible before starting; and if the suspect knows they have important information, this information should be used. Also, interrogators should switch from information gathering to observational statements and be aware of the role they are assuming during an interrogation. Special suggestions are presented for handling paranoid, manipulative, and poor suspects. Sample interviews are included, and a 12-item reference list is provided.