Investigator Tips

Interviewing

Eliciting and Evaluating an Alibi

Apr 01, 2000

One of the most efficient means to eliminate a possible suspect in a crime is if his alibi proves to be correct. This is only true, however, when the investigator is absolutely...

VERIFYING AN EMPLOYMENT HISTORY DURING A PRE-EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW

Feb 01, 2000

It is well established that the best predictor of a job applicant's future behavior is that person's recent past behavior. This is particularly true with respect to their employment history. Has the...

Building Rapport During an Interview

Jan 01, 2000

Interviews in the popular television show Dragnet were often preceded with the admonition, "Just the facts ma'am." The emotional detachment displayed by Sgt. Friday, however, is generally not conducive to eliciting meaningful...

Arranging a Non-Custodial Interview

Nov 01, 1999

During our training seminars we advocate that if the option is available it is preferable to conduct a non-custodial interview rather than a custodial interview. To persuade a guilty subject to voluntarily...

Note Taking During an Interview

Jun 01, 1999

When participants see video-taped interviews at our seminars, it is obvious that our interviewers take a written note following each response offered by a subject. The Reid Technique advocates active note taking...

Taking a Statement From a Victim or Complainant

Apr 01, 1999

Many investigations begin with an interview of a victim or complainant. The success of the investigation, and subsequent prosecution of a suspect, will often depend on the accuracy and credibility of the...

The Importance of Pursuing Communication With Others When Mentioned During an Interview

Mar 01, 1999

Frequently, when an investigator asks a subject to recount the events of a particular date, the subject will include a telephone call, personal conversation or letter received. These communications can be gold...

Importance of Privacy During an Interview

Jan 01, 1999

We have all had the experience where a person tells us something in private that he never would have told us in a public setting. It is well accepted that it is...