The Interview Process Chapter 2

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The movement for more experienced interviewers began in the 1990’s One of the challenges is for the interviewer to control the events as much as possible, taking the time needed to do a through job while at the same time feeling at ease and comfortable with the process.

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Phase I – Interview Preparation Case Review Determine the Prior Criminal Record Viewing the Scene gather information from all available sources determine if prior records exist for the perpetrator and all witnesses personally view the scene whenever possible

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Misinformation Misinformation refers to internal and external sources of information that produce variation in the answers given by an interviewee.

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Sources of Internal Misinformation Cognitive and developmental factors include:  Age  IQ  Health  Awareness Relative judgment refers to the choices made by the witness, including  Identification  Distance  Description

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Sources of External Misinformation Includes any information of an event that is acquired after the event occurred Interviewers using suggestive techniques or questions provide a common source of external change

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Defining Contamination When a person’s memory of an event is changed due to the introduction of misinformation it is referred to as contamination.  Avoid the use of leading questions, those that suggest a possible answer  Do not use the same photos in subsequent lineups with the same witness

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Phase II - Establishment of the Psychological Content Controlling the Interview:  Separate witnesses prior to questioning  Deal with the objections to being interviewed  Privacy is paramount  The highest degree of control is possible in the police station

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ When should the interview occur? Influences on when to interview:  Physical and emotional needs of the witnesses  The nature of the offense  Special populations

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Where should the interview occur? Convenience – at the scene for preliminary and offender information For a desired effect – Intimidation is highest at the station and lowest in a private home Due to available resources – Concerns over facilitated communication or documentation may dictate the best place of interview

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ When in the Police Station... Quiet and free of distractions No windows and limited wall hangings No electronic devices 10’ X 12’ room – chairs at a 45° angle

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Phase III – Actual Questioning Identify potential distorters  These are environmental and personal factors which can influence what people hear and see

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Examples of Distorters Lack of sleep, illness, weather, and light Location and distance from event Pain, hunger, and distress Emotions such as fear, anger, or worry

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Recognize Enhancers Enhancers are special interests that may enable a witness to provide details that seem remarkable

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Enhancing Recall Involve the five senses of smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing to enhance recall

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Open-ended Questions A question that is asked in a way that encourages a narrative by giving direction to the interviewee because it does not limit the answer, it is broad and non- specific Initial seeks a full-undirected narrative response Clarifying seeks to complete or expand on the information already provided

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Examples of Open-ended Questions  Tell me what happened …  Would you tell me everything that you know about…  Tell me what you remember about the car you mentioned …

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Reinforcing Behavior The reinforcing behavior to encourage narratives can be verbal or non- verbal  It does not indicate approval or disapproval

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Examples of Reinforcing Behavior Saying “okay” in a matter of fact manner Saying, “Please continue” Nodding Use of forced silence

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Closed-ended Questions Requires a “yes” or “no” or brief answer These are useful for:  Verifying information  Filling in gaps of the interview  Obtaining specific factual information

Smart Talk: Contemporary Interviewing and Interrogation By Denise Kindschi Gosselin PRENTICE HALL ©2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Examples of Closed-ended Questions What time did you go to bed on Saturday? Do you know the name of the person who did this to you? What is your age?