INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWING Mick Boothroyd Trainer/Interview Advisor .

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

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”

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.

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

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

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

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

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!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

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

Questions?