1. Chapter 2 Interrogation and Forensic Reporting
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2. Introduction—Objectives
Identify important events in the history of law enforcement.
Explain J. Edgar Hoover’s contributions to the formation of the FBI.
Evaluate the importance of a code of ethics to professional organizations.
Compare and contrast an interview and an interrogation.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

3. Introduction—Objectives
Describe the cognitive approach for interviewing.
Discuss special considerations for interviewing children.
Differentiate between the fi ve common models of interrogation.
Explain the importance of objectivity in report writing.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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4. Introduction—Vocabulary
ethics - a set of rules that define appropriate behavior in a situation
interrogation - official questioning of a suspect or witness by law enforcement
interview - a question and answer session that does not accuse but is instead intended to gather information concerning a case and/or a suspect
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

5. Introduction—Vocabulary
interviewer - a trained individual who questions witnesses or suspects and is able to interpret cues in verbal and physical behavior
objectivity - judgment that is not influenced by personal feelings or bias, focused on fact
suspect - an individual under investigation for his or her alleged involvement in a crime
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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6. The Last Drive
October 24, 1994
Susan Smith claims she was carjacked with her children still inside the car
Parts of her testimony don’t make sense
Local sheriff works with FBI to develop questions and strategies to get Smith to confess
Smith was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison 6
Forensic Science II: Title, Chapter #
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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7. Who are they?

8. Historical Development (Obj 2.1, 2.2)
England
1115 — The Laws of Henry I outlined the legal customs during that reign
1748 — the first magistrate appointed to prosecute criminals
1829 — Robert Peel introduced the Metropolitan Police Act, creating the first modern police force
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

9. Historical Development (Obj 2.1, 2.2)
The United States
1790 — NY City has a fully operational daytime paid police force
U.S. Department of Justice
1789 Attorney General position created by the U.S. constitution.
1870- Congress established the DOJ to standardize legal opinions and manage legal proceedings.
1908 — the DOJ organizes a group of 34 special agents and called the Bureau of Investigation
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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10. Historical Development (Obj 2.1, 2.2)
The United States (cont.)
Edgar J. Hoover
Hired by Harlan Stone (the current attorney general) to get rid of corruption in the Bureau of Investigation.
Established new professional standards for employment and promotion in the Bureau of Investigation
1924 — created central storage for fingerprints
1932 — Hoover thought that forensic science would be a powerful tool for solving crimes so he created a crime lab
1935 — name changed to the FBI
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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11. Ethics (Obj 2.3)
Ethics is a set of guidelines— written and unwritten—that explain appropriate conduct for a particular situation or profession.
A written code of ethics describes a process for enforcing appropriate conduct by a profession’s members and usually establishes a system for the investigation and resolution of alleged unethical conduct.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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12. Forensic Science and Ethics
All scientists, including forensic scientists, must follow the scientific method to ensure the validity of their testing techniques and procedures.
Scientists have an ethical responsibility to report their data and analysis accurately.
Their scientific procedures must also be verified through peer review.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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13. Ethics (Obj 2.3) The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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14. Bias (Obj 2.3) Criminal investigations must try to avoid bias
Minimize preconceived notions about any aspect of the case - such as victim or suspect
To avoid bias, cases are given a unique identification number so that scientists performing the analysis are not shown unnecessary personal information.
Bias can affect the evaluation
Unnecessary details, especially details personal in nature, may influence the work and analysis negatively.

15. Interviewing Techniques (Obj 2.4, 2.5, 2.6)
An interview is intended to gather information about a case and/or a suspect.
As a interviewer establishes rapport with the victim, suspect, or witness, he/she will ask general questions.
If the interviewer is not expecting the subject to make incriminating statements and is not trying to elicit a confession, there is no need to issue a Miranda warning.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

16. Interviewing Techniques (Obj 2.4, 2.5, 2.6)
First questions are broad and open-ended to allow a free flow of information.
As the victim/suspect/witness becomes more comfortable, the interviewer will begin to ask more specific questions to gather more detail.
Example of open-ended question: “What were you doing Tuesday?” will lead to general answers. The more specific and closed-ended question: “What were you doing at 3:00 on Tuesday afternoon?” will yield a definite answer.

17. Miranda Warning
**Miranda rights must be presented before a suspect is interrogated!
You have the right to remain silent
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you are being questioned.
If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish.
You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statement
WAIVER: Do you understand each of these rights I have explained to you? Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now?

18. The Cognitive Approach
Most common interview technique used.
Designed to enhance the person’s recollection of the detail of the incident.
Encourages subject to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the crime/incident in different ways.
Interviewer may then examine previous topics or choose to end the interview and resume questioning at a later date.
The same suspect/victim/witness may be interviewed several times.

19. The Cognitive Approach
Subject generally provides a lot of information in the first interview.
As time passes, the person may have time to “get the story straight.”
In subsequent interviews, the interviewer is trained to discover any deceptions and inconsistencies.
Inconsistencies in the story can shift the interview to an interrogation.
An interrogation often takes on an accusatory tone.

20. Interviewing Children (Obj 2.4, 2.5, 2.6)
Make the child feel as safe and comfortable as possible
Techniques vary depending upon age and the nature of the crime
Questions are prepared in advance
The setting is in a private location
Parent or advocate for the child is usually nearby
The interview is usually videotaped
The tape can be used to show the defense that the child was not coerced in any way

21. Interviewing Children (Obj 2.4, 2.5, 2.6)
By the end of the interview, the interviewer should be able to determine:
Where the crime occurred
The number of time the crime occurred
The time of day when the crime occurred
How well the child recalls details of the crime
Details about the location where the crime took place
Whether the child knows is there are any other victims/witnesses
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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22. Interviewing Children (Obj 2.4, 2.5, 2.6)
Children in the Courtroom
Children are naturally very truthful
Make sure the child understand the responsibilities of being a witness
The judge must consider the emotional impact on the child
Several factors, considerations, and limitations go into deciding whether a child witness will have to face the alleged perpetrator

23. Interrogation—Preparing
Review all documentation
Witness statement
Police reports
Physical evidence collected
Laboratory reports
It is important for the interrogator to use the available information to reconstruct events of the crime as accurately as possible
Follow established guidelines
Ensure that investigators do not use unreasonable interrogation techniques to wear down the suspect.

24. Interrogation—Physical Setting
Privacy
Soundproof room
Minimal furniture
Speaker system
Mirror/Glass for observation
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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25. Interrogation—Organizing
Interviewer
Establishes control
Explains the suspect’s 5th & 6th amendment rights
Shows evidence to support the case
Body language is very deliberate
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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26. Interrogation—Models
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

27. Signs of Deception A combination of behaviors Eye and mouth movements
Not looking directly into the interviewer’s eyes
Arms crossed
Cover the mouth
Shifting position abruptly
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
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28. Reporting Information
Be accurate
Be truthful
Be objective
Be comprehensive- review all information related to the case
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

29. Chapter Summary
As cities grew, the focus of policing shifted from peace-keeping to crime prevention.
The U.S. Department of Justice initially relied on outside organizations to perform investigations.
J. Edgar Hoover,director of the Bureau of Investigation,
set standards for employment and promotion,
consolidated the fingerprint databases, and
created a crime lab to help federal, state, and local agencies process and analyze evidence.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

30. Chapter Summary
A code of ethics is a set of guidelines for appropriate behavior as well as a system to enforce professional conduct.
During an interview, an investigator asks questions designed to gather information.
During an interrogation, the investigator expects to gather incriminating statements or a confession.
The most common interview technique is the cognitive approach, which enhances recollection of information.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved

31. Chapter Summary
Special considerations are always given when interviewing children, but the ultimate goal is to obtain the truth.
The five common models of interrogation are suspect decision-making, cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytical, emotional, and interaction process.
Accurate, truthful, and objective reporting is essential to maintaining professionalism standards.
Objectivity is a focus on facts without influence from opinion or bias.
Forensic Science II: Interrogation and Forensic Reporting, Chapter 2
© 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved