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. We recognize that investigators have to exercise caution in cases where guilt has not been conclusively established. While false confessions are rare, even a single instance is unacceptable.

The Reid Technique always starts 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.

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. Our training emphasizes that a persuasive approach that does not involve a direct accusation of guilt is the recommended procedure in these types of cases. The subsequent dialogue will be focused on a clarification effort. This will be designed to further develop facts, explore inconsistencies, and encourage truthful dialogue. Only when an investigator is reasonably certain of a suspect’s guilt based on evidence do we recommend that the investigator initiate the interrogation with a direct statement of involvement.

The core values that have defined the Reid Technique for nearly 80 years are designed to protect the innocent, support investigators in their pursuit of reliable information, and reinforce the trust our clients have placed in us for generations.