Techniques for Interviewing Suspects

Interviewing suspects often involves a variety of different techniques.

Criminal investigators interview suspects in order to establish guilt and apprehend criminals involved in all sorts of crimes. Investigators use many different interviewing techniques to establish the guilty party, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. The use of these techniques depends on the type of crime, the age and gender of the suspect and other factors. Good investigators know how to assess the situation and use the most effective technique to achieve their goals.

Narrative Method

This technique is quite straight-forward and is used in a variety of different interviewing situations by investigators around the world. The technique involves letting the suspect tell his side of the story without any interruption from the interviewers. The suspect may be asked to repeat the story as many as three or four times in order to establish consistency, or lack thereof, in the story. The investigator may listen to the story, verify facts or inconsistencies and then re-interrogate the suspect.

Reid Technique

The Reid Technique is often criticized for convincing innocent suspects to admit crimes of which they are not guilty, but it is generally seen as an effective investigatory model. The technique involves a non-accusatory interview followed by carefully phrased behavior-provoking questions. The interviewer approaches the suspect in a non-confrontational, understanding way in order to make the suspect feel comfortable to the point that they acknowledge and admit the crime. A series of nine steps known as the Reid Nine Steps of Interrogation are used to bring the suspect to confess the crime. The focus of the Reid Technique, a registered trademark of the legal firm John Reid and Associates, is on eliminating innocent suspects.

Bluff Method

The bluff method is an effective way of scaring guilty suspects into admitting the crime. The interviewer tells the suspect that there is unequivocal evidence of guilt, that, for example, a reliable witness saw him commit the crime or that his fingerprints have been found on the murder weapon, even though this information is unsubstantiated. The tactic essentially scares the suspect into admitting his guilt. In essence the interviewer approaches the suspect by saying “we know what you did, now just admit it,” and the suspect cracks. If the suspect is innocent, he will maintain his disbelief at the given facts.

References

• Interview and Interrogation In The Investigation Of A Crime
• The Reid Technique Of Interviewing And Interrogation