Preparing for an Interview/Interrogation

Preparing for an Interview/Interrogation

Introduction

The paper will present a detailed analysis of how to prepare for and conduct an interview or interrogation with a criminal. The effort put into preparation before conducting the interview or interrogation, and the approach and techniques used to conduct the actual interview are the critical elements which influence the effectiveness and success of the activity. The paper will describe the preparation for an interview/interrogation, activity of an effective interview or interrogation, and the practice exercise and post mortem reflection.

The paper has discussed the interview or interrogation techniques while interviewing the criminals. There are some strategies and techniques which must be used from the crime investigators or police investigators in order to deal with the criminals while getting information concerning the crime scene. They must make sure that their every question is answered and they must also try indirect questions and must also avoid unclear questions to be asked to the suspects of the crime.

Preparing for an Interview/Interrogation

The interview and interrogation session of the suspect of a crime is not an easy task and it does require expertise from the investigators' side. The police officer might not have gotten any proper training of the interrogation techniques. However, they must know some of the useful techniques to follow while doing the interview of the suspect. A positive attitude is necessary from the police; they should bury their anger if they have toward the suspect (Kassin, 1999).

The police or investigators must also develop self confidence by experience that the suspect would be able to recognize. They must also take the time essential for gaining the suspect's willingness to talk to them for the interrogation session.

The police must also get the necessary information of the suspect prior to the interview or interrogation session. This information must comprise on the suspect's address, date of birth, prior criminal record and the occupation. Furthermore, with the help of NCIC, they must do the QQ inquiry. However, these records rarely reveal anything which is already known by the police regarding the criminal. A telephone call to the arresting officer and detective might be worthwhile. On the other hand, they must also get the information from the suspect's parents and relatives. There is a snitch in almost every family (Patry et al., 2009).

Performing an Effective Interview/Interrogation

When there is a situation of dealing with the criminal affairs or the police investigations, getting information from the suspect's side is the most difficult thing the police have to do. The criminals have the sharpest minds and therefore, it is not that easier to engage them while questioning them regarding the crime. Hence, it is difficult for them to get the important information. For that reason, the effective interviewing and interrogation techniques are vital to adopt while having the interrogation session (McCoy, 2007).

There are a number of different strategies that are used for dealing with the suspects. The law enforcement interrogators always have to use psychological techniques for engaging the ...