1. Interviewing Tommy Sneed, Manager Criminal Tax Investigations
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Special Investigations
Tomato Farm, Lipscomb University, TN Comptroller, Youth Minister, TN Comptroller, TN Care, Revenue.
Wife, Teresa, and three boys, Jonathan (8), Zachary (4½), and Benjamin (2½).

2. An interview is a with an agenda.
Interview Defined
An interview is a
with an agenda.

3. Interview Defined The “agenda” is to obtain information
to assist in forming
a mental PICTURE
of truth.

4. Interview Vs. Interrogation
Non-Accusatory
Conversational Dialogue
Gathering Information
Time is Limited
Take Notes
Interrogation
Accusatory
Conversational Dominance
Seeking Admission or Confession
Time is not Limited
No Notes

5. An Important Key
“Everyone wants to give every information to everyone!”
-Avinoam Sapir
First Audit - Journal Vouchers “She is totally incompetent”

6. “A conversation with Ruth”
People Like to Talk…
Good interviewers remove obstacles that prevent this natural occurrence.
People are not afraid to answer questions. They are afraid to ask them.
“A conversation with Ruth”

7. Information Gathering Interview Element 1
Preparation
identify the reason for the interview
determine the person to interview and the order of interviews
perform necessary research
outline questions
Imaging
“Chance favors the prepared mind” -- Pasteur
James Nesmeth had a dream of improving his golf game and he developed a unique method of achieving his goal. Average was mid-90’s. Then he stopped playing for seven years. The first time he stepped foot on a golf course after his seven year hiatus from the game, he shot a 74. Major James Nesmeth was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. He was imprisoned in a cage 4½ high and 5 feet long. Visualization.

8. Information Gathering Interview Element 2
Introduction
Establish the purpose of the interview
Develop rapport/altruism
The most important aspect of a conversation.

9. Information Gathering Interview Element 3
Capture the Pure Version
Participation Ratio = Interviewer: 5% - Subject: 95%
Open-ended questions
No Interruptions
Draw out complete responses through “encouragement phrases.”
Employ Controlled Silence
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.--Abraham Lincoln

10. An Important Key
The individual you are interviewing does not know what you know!
“The Jonathan Experiment”
First Audit - Journal Vouchers “She is totally incompetent”

11. “90% of the game is half mental.”
Listening
“90% of the game is half mental.”
--Yogi Berra

12. Listening
A good listener tries to understand thoroughly what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but before he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with.
--Kenneth A. Wells, Guide to Good Leadership

13. The 3 Levels of Listening
Daydreaming
Not paying attention
Forming rebuttals to what is being said
Fighting internal distractions
Hearing words only - not listening for meaning
Hardly any recall of what is said

14. The 3 Levels of Listening
Starting to listen to words, but very little processing of meaning
Can now repeat words of speaker, but not meaning
Not remembering what was said

15. The 3 Levels of Listening
Open to speakers point of view
Truly interested in what is said
Understanding content before forming opinions
Remember what was said
This is also known as empathetic listening

16. Barriers to Effective Listening
Experiences
Biases
Training
Expectations
Interests
Feelings
Barriers filter and distort communication

17. Information Gathering Interview Element 4
Tap Information Volunteered
Obtain details about the information provided
“Squeeze the sponge”
Explore any mention of conversations, people, places, documents, chronology, and basis (who, what when, where, why, how)

18. Information Gathering Interview Element 5
Uncover Information Not Provided
Obtain information in areas not volunteered by the subject.
“Fill the Gaps”

19. Information Gathering Interview Element 6
Recap
Obtain a commitment to important assertions
Summarize key points
Leave door open for further questioning
“Beer Seizures”

20. Information Gathering Interview Element 7
End
Spend time making notes (notes should be limited during the Listening Phase of the interview)
Transcribe your notes
Verify the information

21. PICTURE Recap End Preparation Introduction Capture the Pure Version
Identify the reason for the interview
Introduction
Establish the purpose Develop rapport/altruism
Capture the Pure Version
Open-ended questions
Tap Information Volunteered
Obtain details about the information provided
Uncover Information Not Provided
Obtain information in areas not volunteered
Recap
End

22. Conduct an Interview

23. PICTURE Recap End Preparation Introduction Capture the Pure Version
Identify the reason for the interview
Introduction
Establish the purpose Develop rapport/altruism
Capture the Pure Version
Open-ended questions
Tap Information Volunteered
Obtain details about the information provided
Uncover Information Not Provided
Obtain information in areas not volunteered
Recap
End

24. An Important Key
Don’t pretend to understand.

25. Profile of a Successful Interviewer
Social
Eclectic
Intuitive
Knowledgeable

26. Profile of a Successful Interviewer
Attitude
Objective
Cordial and Polite
Even-Tempered
Sincere
Interested
Understanding
Develops Rapport
You should be in a good mood or fake it!

27. Profile of a Successful Interviewer
Tone of Voice
Medium, Conversational
Avoid displaying disbelief, shock, anger, disgust, and skepticism
Smooth Speech, Controlled, Confident
Modeling
Voice Tone, Pace of Speech, Language “

28. Profile of a Successful Interviewer
Posture
Upright
Frontally Aligned
Leaning Forward on Occasion
Open, No Crossed Arms
Avoid Slouching
Conscience of Modeling Effect

29. Profile of a Successful Interviewer
Eye Contact
Should be maintained when you ask the subject questions or when they answer.
Avoid Staring, casual breaks of eye contact are essential.

30. Display empathy, but don’t be empathetic.
Quotable Quote
Display empathy, but don’t be empathetic.
-- Daniel Marsano

31. Professional Skepticism
Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns
callously calculating
Negative or pessimistic
Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity

32. Professional Skepticism
The method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of skeptics Webster
Unsatisfied Curiosity
-- Tommy Sneed
Tell me - Show me- Convince me Art Hayes

33. Characteristics of Professional Skepticism
Is the explanation reasonable?
Verify statements
Ask about exceptions
Assess credibility (individuals & evidence)
Ask difficult questions
Be Professionally Skeptical not Cynical
Seek Clarification not confrontation
2000 work hours per year shops times 4 hours.
Exception: Addie personally picks up the check for Jones.

34. DOES YOUR DOG BITE?

35. Quotable Quote
It doesn’t do any good to beat a dead horse; but it doesn’t hurt anything either.
-- Unknown

36. Key Resources
In Search of Truth…An Analytical Approach to the Interview Process by Daniel T. Marsano
Criminal Interrogation and Confessions, Third Edition, by Fred E. Inbau, John E. Reid, and Joseph P. Buckley
The Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation®