Investigator Tips
Current Investigator Tip
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...
Previous Tips
Addressing the Suspect's Behavior
Jan 01, 2014
It is human nature to cite a person's behavior as evidence to support some underlying premise. It is an enticing argument to state that because one exhibits an observable behavior it is...
The Bait Question in the Age of Computer Technology
Nov 01, 2013
The bait question is one of the oldest behavior provoking questions. It is a specialized question designed to introduce the possibility of incriminating evidence during an interview in an effort to entice...
The Use of Third Person Themes
Sep 01, 2013
I have had the honor of training many students during their studies at Reid College. Following graduation most of them went on to have very successful careers in the private sector, law...
A Quick Guide to Best Practices for THE REID NINE STEPS OF INTERROGATION®
Jul 01, 2013
Within any established procedure (medical, therapeutic, manufacturing, education, engineering, etc.) there are optimum or ideal conditions under which the probability of success is maximized. These optimum procedures are called "best practices." Because...
Establishing Rapport with a Suspect
May 20, 2013
We all know someone whom we respect and admire. It may be a teacher, coach, pastor, scout master, friend or parent. Assume that we committed a crime of some sort and this...
Having A Third Person in the Interview Room
Mar 05, 2013
Having A Third Person in the Interview Room
Privacy is considered the single most important psychological factor contributing to the success of an interview or interrogation. This is something we each...
Evaluating Admissions Against Self-Interest
Jan 15, 2013
It is not uncommon for suspects to make admissions against self-interest during an interview. They may acknowledge being in the area of the crime, having a motive to commit the crime, having...
The Feasibility of an Analytic Assessment to Identify False Confessions
Nov 01, 2012
The medical, psychiatric and therapy communities have a long history of using diagnostic "checklists" to evaluate the presence or absence of physiological or mental disease or degree of impairment. These analytic assessments...
Interview Before Interrogating
Sep 01, 2012
Throughout our seminars and textbooks The Reid Technique emphasizes the distinction between interviewing and interrogating, and the importance of conducting a non-accusatory interview before an accusatory interrogation. A recent legal decision reinforces...
Investigating Issues of Intent
Jul 01, 2012
Two recent news events have centered around a person's intentions. The first was the shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman. The second was a White house correspondent named Neil Munro who...
To Lie or Not to Lie: The Use of Deception During an Interrogation
May 01, 2012
If the agents involved in the recent Colombia incident are interrogated, should the investigators tell them they have evidence that they don't really have? It depends on a number of considerations.
The Importance of Context Within Behavior Symptom Analysis
Mar 01, 2012
Consider the following written note left for my son: "Ryan, call Mom's cell." If the note was written this year, he would dial her mobile phone number. However, if the note was...
Innocent Suspect’s Response to Interrogation
Jan 01, 2012
The process of interrogation is reserved for suspects whose guilt is reasonably certain. This assessment may be based on a combination of forensic or testimonial evidence implicating the suspect in the crime...
Word Games Deceptive Suspects Play
Nov 01, 2011
Properly socialized people do not enjoy lying. None of us invite the feelings of guilt, fear or anxiety associated with telling a lie. On the other hand, we also don't like to...
Good vs. Bad Liars
Sep 01, 2011
Earlier this year the nation was transfixed by the trial of Casey Anthony, a young woman accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter Caylee. During the course of the investigation...
What Exactly is the Reid Technique of Interrogation?
Jul 01, 2011
Part One
Despite the availability of specific information in books, training manuals and on our web site about the Reid Technique of interrogation, it is routinely mis-characterized. The following description...
Interviewing Witnesses
May 01, 2011
A witness is anyone who possesses direct information pertinent to an investigation. Sometimes witnesses are forthcoming and fully cooperative, other times they are reluctant to get involved and occasionally they are deceitful...
The Danger of Threatening Inevitable Consequences During an Interrogation
Mar 01, 2011
A recent Frontline episode dealt with interrogation techniques and false confessions.1 The presented case involved the 1997 rape and murder of Michelle Bosko from Norfolk, VA. The following is a synopsis of...
Research Review: The lie, the Bluff and False Confessions
Jan 01, 2011
One of the most controversial aspects of criminal interrogation involves the use of trickery and deceit. While Federal and State Supreme Courts routinely uphold confessions that were obtained from interrogations during which...
Investigating Attention- Motivated Fabricated Crimes
Nov 01, 2010
Every year there are a dozen or so incidents involving fabricated crimes that make national headlines because the motive behind the reported crime fascinates the general public. Recently a woman in...