Investigator Tip

For nearly eight decades, John E. Reid & Associates, Inc. has set the standard for ethical, effective investigative interviewing. Our longevity is rooted in a simple principle: a commitment to continuous learning, refinement, and adaptation as information, technology, and society evolve. Just as medicine, education, athletics, and countless other fields have transformed over the past generation, so too must the practices that guide investigative interviewing.

The Reid Technique has always been designed to protect the innocent and identify the guilty. When properly applied according to the established protocol, the Reid Technique has not, does not, and will not cause false confessions. However, as with any professional methodology, deviations from protocol can place certain individuals in vulnerable positions. We take this reality seriously, and we remain committed to ensuring that our training reflects the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and scientific understanding.

There has never been a more structured, humane, and persuasive process for obtaining the truth from individuals who have engaged in misconduct or criminal behavior. Yet we recognize that concerns have emerged when accusatory techniques are used in cases where guilt has not been conclusively established. While false confessions are rare, even a single instance is unacceptable.

In response, and in alignment with our longstanding dedication to protecting the innocent, John E. Reid & Associates is implementing an important enhancement to our training protocol. The Reid Technique will always start with factual analysis regarding the information available at the start of the investigation, which will be followed by a non-accusatory, non-confrontational, and objective investigative interview as we currently employ. The change in protocol will be the decision to use the Reid 9-Step Interrogation Process.

We understand that in some cases, the evidence of a subject’s involvement in the commission of the act that is under investigation is circumstantial, and it is difficult to develop conclusive evidence, i.e., a sexual abuse of a child. While there may be strong circumstantial evidence of a suspect’s guilt, there is no conclusive evidence. Under those circumstances, our training will emphasize a persuasive approach that does not involve a direct accusation of guilt. It will be a clarification phase as opposed to an interrogation. This will be designed to clarify facts, explore inconsistencies, and encourage truthful dialogue without presuming guilt. Only when a suspect’s guilt appears certain based on evidence will the investigator employ the Reid nine steps of interrogation.

This modification strengthens the core values that have defined the Reid Technique for nearly 80 years: ethical practice, continuous research, and an unwavering commitment to truth and justice. We believe this enhancement will further protect the innocent, support investigators in their pursuit of reliable information, and reinforce the trust our clients have placed in us for generations.