Goal #3 Objective A


Objective A:
Without the use of course text or class notes, the student will identify issues on collecting information from interviews.
interview -
The questioning process used for a victim or eyewitness -- people who reasonably can be expected to disclose what they know.

As stated in Goal #2, the investigator should strive to comprehensively answer who, what, when, where, why and how.

Information to be Acquired in an Interview
Crime Elements -
The investigator must have knowledge of the criminal code and must be able to obtain necessary information to support a criminal charge.

If no crime has occurred then the investigator must be able to identify that situation as well.

Offender description -
As discussed in Goal #2, offender descriptions can be captured one of three ways:

Stolen or Lost Property Description-
Methodology for Describing Property in an Investigative Report:

Occasionally when conducting interviews, the interviewee might be a reluctant, fearful or unaware witness.

Witness cooperation is frequently generated with the use of a 24-hour hot-line which permits the caller to remain anonymous. To support this practice, frequently rewards are offered for information relating to the arrest and conviction of offenders.

Witness who are reluctant to come forward with information frequently do so because they are afraid of missing work and subsequently their salary. Investigator should attempt to work this out with prosecutors so loss of work will be minimal.

Witnesses who are fearful frequently don't come forward because of their fear of reprisal, either from the suspect or the associates of the suspect.

Options for an investigator dealing with a fearful witness

Many agencies have assigned investigative personnel to Victim - Witness duties. These investigators make sure victims and witnesses coordinates follow-up activities that look out for the welfare and needs of victims and witness.

Frequently people witness pieces of events, which unknown to them is part of the criminal activity an investigator is piecing together. Therefore the investigator should revisit the scene a day or two after the crime and exactly one week after the crime. It is best to visit the scene at the or near the time the crime was committed.

When visiting the scene, the investigator should conduct a canvass of the area for potential witnesses. This means visiting adjoining businesses or residences and asking if anyone may have seen some details of the crime.v
Interviews should be conducted in controlled settings where the interviewee can be feel comfortable.

The Interview Process:

Elements of a successful interview
The investigators behavior during the interview
Planning the interview strategy
Conducting the interview

Elements of a successful interview

Listening -

Note Taking - If another investigator is available, have them sit in on the interview and take the notes so you can devote full time to "listening."

If you must do it alone, consider tape recording the interview. If this is not possible, consider a balance between writing and listening.

The investigators behavior during the interview.

Know yourself
Be professional

Know Yourself -

Be professional -

Interview Do's

Interview Don'ts

Planning the interview strategy

Conducting the interview:

Interview Questions

Questions should be effective (i.e. accurate, brief, clear)
Questions should follow a pattern (general-to-specific, known-to-unknown)
Types of questions (i.e., precise answer, narrative answer, and leading answer)
Questions to avoid (i.e. double negative, self-answering, complex questions

Flow of the Interview

Introduction -

Interview Body -

Interview Conclusion -


Continue to Goal #3 - Objective B.
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