1. INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWING
Mick Boothroyd
Trainer/Interview Advisor .

2. Objectives Identify what an interview is and the principles we apply.
Examine and interpret the PEACE model of interviewing.
Use gap analysis throughout the interview process.
Understand
The methods of interviewing
Questioning styles
Importance of Effective listening
Need to record interviews accurately

3. An Interview What is an Interview? “A conversation with a purpose”
Every encounter during an investigation could be an interview!
Deal with it properly “If it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen”

4. Principles Within the Police interviewing process we apply Principles
There are 7 devised by the IISG (Investigative Interview Strategy Group) updated in 2007.
We can apply some of these to any interview
To obtain accurate and reliable accounts about matters under investigation.
Must act fairly, vulnerable people must be treated with particular consideration at all times.
Investigative interviewing, approached with investigative mindset, accounts obtained should be tested against what is known or can be established.
When conducting an interview, investigators are free to ask a wide range of questions in order to obtain material which may assist the investigation.

5. Other Principles relating to Suspects
Acknowledge early admission
Still ask Questions even if not answering them
Not bound to accept the first answer given*

6. P.E.A.C.E.
A process of interviewing acknowledged by the judiciary. So what does it mean?
P - Plan and Prepare
E - Engage and Explain
A - Account/Question/Clarify/Challenge
C - Closure
E - Evaluation

7. Plan and Preparation “Failing to plan, planning to fail”
About the interview process:-
Why - Purpose of interviews, apply principles
Who – Agreement, fit to be interviewed
How, when and where - Working practices/ Considerations/ Methodology
What - Aims/Intentions/ Specific Objectives to this person - ~Your topics & their account~.
Issues for introduction – what impact will they have

8. Plan and Prep using Gap Analysis
About the matter under investigation (apply 5WH)
What – I am investigating
Where – The locations relevant to the issue under investigation
When – The material time frame
Who – The persons of interest witness/victim/ perpetrator
How – The Modus Operandi (Method of operating)
Why – MOTIVE!
If you can answer all these you know what has happened
– If you can evidence all this you can prove it. investigation is complete

9. Engage and Explain Explanation of process Rapport building Know them
Your actions
Their actions
Rapport building
Know them
Do not make unintentional disclosures
Record what you disclose
Be aware of what they have already said/disclosed and ensure it is recorded. (Significant deal with it!)

10. Account – Clarification Explanation Challenge
Opening question - (Gives direction to method of questioning)
First account (listen, gurgle, record)
acknowledge through Summary
Break down topic
Explore to detail important information
Summary- empty the cup – allows you to place account in memory
No gaps
Incident/Investigation
Ask questions
Control relevance
Review relevance
Review objectives
Introduce own topics if not covered in witness account
Questioning style Free recall, conversation management, cognitive (see Later)
Clarify/Explain/ challenge omission. inconsistency.
Documentation
Breaks

11. Method of interview (Obtaining an Account)
The type of interview conducted will be driven by two issues
The individual being interviewed
The interviewer
This will lead to the interview being conducted in the following methods or elements of each
Conversation management
Cognitive
Free recall

12. Response to question (Account)
FREE RECALL
“I was at the train station obtaining my ticket from a machine, I was with John, at that time I had my wallet in my hand and had my credit card in the machine, / suddenly / someone pushed me from behind and I fell forward,/ I put my hands up to stop myself and this person / grabbed my wallet from my hand and ran off out of the gate.”
CONVERSATION MANAGEMENT
“Someone
stole
my wallet.”
Cooperative
Reluctant and Hostile
Witness V Victim

13. Closure Review account Change alter or add anything Everything covered
Tell them what is happening
What you are doing
Set up next interview if necessary
Identify issues
Do not leave with uncertainty

14. Evaluation Review Plan Review interview Review product
Look at the elements along side each other
What was
Good
Poor
Could be improved
Could have been done differently
Be honest with yourself and others
What enquiries are needed

15. Types of Questions Do ask Don’t ask TED
Open (specific 5WH filling those gaps)
Closed (specific)
Forced choice
Don’t ask
Multiple
Leading
Suggestive/hypothetical
Accusatory

16. Effective Listening An essential Skill
You can ask the best questions in the world, but if you don’t listen to the answers, they ain’t no good!
Often too focussed on task and next question, resulting in failure to listen to what is being said! You miss that golden nugget as it rolls out the room!!

17. Recording the interview – Written
This is the product of the interview not the purpose
It is how you present the information account obtained in the interview
From the account given within the interview and notes taken prepare and present the report/statement. REMEMBER “It is their words not yours”.
They may have to give this information at tribunal or other hearing - not you, do not influence what they are saying by what you are saying.
Don’t forget the notes can be unused material for any subsequent Police investigation

18. Questions?