Investigator Tips
Current Investigator Tip
What Do False Confession Experts Say in Their Reports?
Nov 28, 2023
The following represents the type of observations, assessments and opinions Dr. Richard Leo (and other social psychologists) offer/include in their reports and testimony when they are acting on behalf of the defendant...
Previous Tips
A Closed Claim is a Good Claim
Nov 27, 2023
The saying in the insurance claims business is, “A closed claim is a good claim”. In the race to get to the finish line, we sometimes take shortcuts that can cost costly...
Persuasion Tactics for Migrants Committing Crimes
Nov 07, 2023
According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), “There were more than 2.8 million migrant encounters from January through August, 2023.” (USA Today, September 30, 2023).
Furthermore, CBP Chief Raul Ortiz said there...
How do you respond to false confession experts presented by the defense? (updated Nov '23)
Oct 20, 2023
Over the years we have received a number of emails that have stated essentially the following:
I am an investigator with the (agency name). A few years ago a coworker and myself...
The Disingenuous Testimony from Social Psychologists About the Reid Technique
Jul 11, 2023
Richard Leo, and other false confession experts (oftentimes social psychologists), have testified that “there is a consensus in the scientific community that the techniques taught by the Reid method sometimes lead to...
A General Outline of Richard Leo's Testimony on False Confession Issues and Reid Responses
Jul 05, 2023
A General Outline of Richard Leo’s Testimony/Followed by Reid Responses
The following are examples of the testimony Richard Leo has made in a number of cases and our responses to his statements.
...Reid Policy on the Use of Deception During an Interrogation
Jun 26, 2023
Reid Policy on the Use of Deception During an Interrogation
Preface
There is a distinction between a court of law and the court of public opinion. In recent years several states have...
What False Confession Experts Say About the Reid Technique and Our Responses
Jun 16, 2023
The attached document, "What False Confession Experts, Defense Attorneys and Academicians Say About the Reid Technique and Our Responses," includes the following topics:
The Purpose of an Interrogation"Guilt Presumptive" ProcessHow Social Psychologists...Clarifying Misrepresentations About Interrogation Techniques (updated May 2023)
May 19, 2023
Over the years social psychologists, defenses attorneys, and some academicians have
offered a number of criticisms of current law enforcement interrogation practices, and, in
particular, the Reid Technique. Some of...
Iowa Supreme Court - Use of Deception Did Not Negate the Defendant’s Waiver of Miranda Rights
May 02, 2023
State of Iowa v. Gowun Park, Iowa Supreme Court, No. 21-0756, January 27, 2023.
SUMMARY
The court in this case noted that the our legal system tolerates some deception by...
The Reid Technique: International Research and the Value of Behavior Symptom Analysis
Apr 27, 2023
Part One: International Research Validates the Core Elements of the Reid Technique
Over the years numerous international research studies have been conducted on the Reid Technique – here are a few that...
The Courts: Acceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors
Apr 25, 2023
The Courts: Acceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors
Over the last 20 years we have published numerous court decisions on interrogation issues in an effort to keep our audience up to date...
The Courts: Unacceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors
Apr 20, 2023
The Courts: Unacceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors
Over the last 20 years we have published numerous court decisions on interrogation issues in an effort to keep our audience up to date with...
Court Decisions Regarding Juvenile Interrogations/Confession Admissibility
Apr 18, 2023
As noted in our Investigator Tip, The Courts: Unacceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors, over the last 20 years we have published numerous court decisions on interrogation issues in an effort to keep our...
The Truth About the Research Social Psychologists Use as the Basis for Testimony Regarding False and/or Coerced Confessions
Mar 06, 2023
The Truth About the Research Social Psychologists Use as the Basis for Testimony regarding False and/or Coerced Confessions
Social Psychologists, Defense Attorneys, Academicians, and Law Enforcement interrogation critics oftentimes refer to research...
Benefits of Complimenting a Suspect During the Interrogation
Jan 15, 2023
There are many elements that lead to a successful interrogation. One such element is the level of rapport and trust the investigator can develop with the suspect. One way to develop rapport...
Interrogation and Confession Judicial Decisions Organized by Subject Matter
Oct 24, 2022
For many years we have published on our website and through our newsletters legal updates of cases which address relevant interview and interrogation issues. In this 504 page document we have attempted...
Investigator’s Response to a Subject’s Challenges During Interviews and Interrogations
Oct 14, 2022
This article is a follow-up to last month’s “Investigator Tip” which discussed how an investigator’s own bearing and demeanor may affect the outcome of an investigative interview or interrogation. This article expands...
Investigators' Demeanor During Interviews and Interrogations
Aug 10, 2022
This article explores how an investigator's own bearing and emotional self-control promote mutuality of respect with even the toughest of subjects and enhance the productivity of every questioning session.
The ability...
Principles of Practice: How to Conduct Proper Investigative Interviews and Interrogations
Apr 25, 2022
Principles of Practice: How to Conduct Proper Investigative Interviews and Interrogations
Since 1947 John E. Reid and Associates has been conducting investigative interviews and when appropriate, interrogations.
Since the mid 1970's we...
Resistance to Elicitation and Interrogation
Mar 25, 2022
APA Magazine, January/February, 2022, Vol. 55.1; reprint courtesy of American Polygraph Association, copyright reserved
In order to maintain their cover, particularly during deployment, Intelligence Officers and Special Operations Forces must always be...