INTERVIEW

It is the simple questioning of a person who cooperates with the investigator. These are
witnesses who voluntarily give their accounts about the commission of the crime.
Is a conversation with a purpose, motivated by a desire to obtain certain
information from the person being interviewed as to what was done, seen, felt,
heard, tasted, smell or known.
This is the questioning of a person believed to possess knowledge that is in official interest
to the investigator.

IMPORTANCE OF INTERVIEW

Interview in crime investigation is very important considering that the person

interviewed usually gives his account of an incident under investigation or
offers information concerning a person being investigated in his own manner and words.

BASIC ASSUMPTIONS IN INTERVIEW

Nobody has to talk to law enforcers. No law compels a person to talk to the police if he
does not want to. Therefore, people will have to be persuaded, always within legal and ethical limits, to
talk to law enforcers. This makes interviewing an art.

THE GOLDEN RULE OF INTERVIEW

“Never conduct or let anyone conduct an interview if the interviewer has not gone to the crime scene.
The questioning will lead wayward for the interviewer who had not seen personally the crime scene and
he will not be in a position to distinguish half-truths, exaggerations for falsehood from the answer of the
person being interviewed”.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD INTERVIEWER

RAPPORT
 It is the friendly relation between the interviewer and the interviewee which is conducive to
a fruitful result. It is winning the confidence of a person being interviewed in order that he/she will tell all
the information in his/her possession.
The interviewer must be in a respectable civilian attire. The reason for this is that for
the majority of people, the police uniform is a barrier in establishing good rapport. To many, the uniform
is intimidating.

FORCEFUL PERSONALITY
The appearance of the interviewer and other qualities such as skills of communication
techniques, or force of his language are the mainstays of the strength of his character. He must be
understanding, sympathetic and without showing official arrogance, vulgarity of
expressions, and an air of superiority.
KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR
This will help the interviewer to determine the personality and intelligence of his/her
subject. He or she must go down and up to the level of understanding of his/her particular subject.
CONVERSATIONAL TONE OF VOICE
The tone of voice must be conversational, not confrontational as in interrogation.
.
COMMON INTEREST
The preliminary and probing questions should be aimed to establish common interest
between the interviewer and the subject.
ACTING QUALITIES
An interviewer must possess the qualities of an actor, salesman and psychologist. He
must know how to use the power of persuasion.
HUMILITY
He/she must be courteous, sympathetic and humble, ready to ask apologies for the
inconvenience of the interview
COGNITIVE INTERVIEW DEFINED

It is a form or technique in the conduct of interview upon willing and cooperative

witnesses, where they are given the full opportunity to narrate their accounts without intervention.
After the subject has finished his narration, the investigator now subjects him to the style
of direct examination and cross examination, to clarify the un-explained portions to arrive at a vivid
and complete picture of the testimony.
REASONS WHY WITNESSES REFUSE TO TALK AND TESTIFY

FEAR OF REPRISAL – The fear of reprisal is always entertained by witnesses who lack the courage to
face the suspect, his associates or relatives. This is natural, especially those who have no means to
protect themselves, or no influential persons for them to rely on.

GREAT INCONVENIENCE – On the part of those of hands-tomouth existence, there is the real
inconvenience which will deprive them the time to earn for their living, especially during the ordeal of
testifying during the trial. To those unemployed, the inconvenience is greater, thus the investigator must
sincerely help them through his contacts with the business committee.

HATRED AGAINST THE POLICE – This hatred maybe due to previous bad experience with rogue
members of the police organization. The investigator must show difference between him and the rogue
by honest and sincere entertainment of the complaint against rogue cops.

BIAS OF THE WITNESS – The witness maybe an acquaintance, friend, helper or benefactor of the
suspect. All of these and other relationship of the witness to the suspect must be explored so that an
intelligent approach is properly applied.
AVOIDANCE OF PUBLICITY – There are witnesses who are shy, and shuns publicity that will bring
discomfort to their ordinary or obscure way of living. The investigator must hide these witnesses away
from reporters.

FAMILY RESTRICTION – Some famous and respected families preserve their reputations by instilling
to their members the need of the approval of their elders on matters affecting their families. The
investigator must talk to the elders for their approval of a member to testify
BIGOTRY – Religious or racial, tribal or ethnic indifference

CULTISH INDOCTRINATION – Some cults or religious denominations exercise religious or moral

influence on decision of witnesses to testify. It would be more apparent when the witness and the
suspect belong to the same cult.
 THREE TYPES OF INTERVIEW

PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW – This is the initial questioning of a subject. It is usually conducted at the
crime scene though it may be conducted also at the subject’s house or workplace.

FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEW – This is the 2nd or succeeding questioning to:

• Obtainfurther into that was missed during the 1st questioning

• Clarifying data that has already been gathered

FINAL INTERVIEW – This is the last questioning that may lead to the act of offering a witness to testify
in court during trial

STAGES OF HANDLING THE INTERVIEW

a. PREPARATION – The investigator should review the facts at the crime scene and information
from other sources in order that he would be ready for the questioning.
b. APPROACH – The investigator must carefully select his kind of approach, which maybe a single
kind, a combination of two or the application of all the techniques.
c. WARMING-UP – This is done by preliminary or exploratory questions to clear the atmosphere,
promote a conductive ground for cordiality, respect and trust for each other.
d. COGNITIVE INTERVIEW – the subject now is asked to narrate his account without interruption,
intervention or interference.

I.R.O.N.I.C. FORMAT

IDENTITY – prior to the commencement of an interview, the investigator should identify himself to the
subject by name, rank and agency. Except, when there is no need to know the officer’s identity.

RAPPORT – it is good to get the positive feeling of the subject towards the investigators, such friendly
atmosphere is a vital for both the subject and the investigator t have a better interaction.
 OPENING STATEMENT – the investigator must have to indicate why the subject is being contracted.
NARRATION – the witness should be allowed to tell all he knows with little interruptions from the
investigator.

INQUIRY – after all information have been given by the subject, that is the time for the investigator to
ask question to clarify him about the case under investigation.

CONCLUSIONS – after the interview, it is but proper to close the interview with outmost courtesy and
thanking the subject for his cooperation.
RULES IN QUESTIONING

a. ONE QUESTION AT A TIME – one question at a time is desired.

b. AVOID IMPLIED ANSWERS – The nod of the head or any other body language as a response to the
questions should be avoided.
c. SIMPLICITY OF QUESTIONS – A short simple question at a time is required. Avoid legalistic
questions such as; who is the murderer or who is in conspiracy with the suspect.
d. SAVING FACES – The investigator should not fault or ridicule the subject on these matters.
e. YES OR NO ANSWERS – Do not ask questions which could be answered by yes or no.

TYPES OF WITNESSES ACCORDING TO THEIR ATTITUDES

Know-Nothing Type - These are the reluctant type of witnesses. They are found among uneducated
and of low level of intelligence.

Disinterested Type - This is the uncooperative and indifferent subject. To deal with them is to find out
their field of interest

The Drunken Type - The style of questioning by the investigator should be adapted to the psychology
of the subject. When the drunken subject has sobered, another interview will be conducted, confronting
him about his disclosures while in the state of drunkenness. The written statement must be taken during
his sobriety.

Suspicious type – These type of witnesses are suspicious about the motive and actions of the
investigator. May be removed by sincere explanations or psychological war.
Talkative Type - These are witnesses who are prone to exaggerate, adding irrelevant or new matters to
their narration.
Honest Witnesses - These are the truthful and cooperative witnesses where the investigator could rely
upon, with little or no problem in handling them.

Deceitful Witness - These are the liar type of witnesses. Pressure them for possible cases of perjury or
obstruction of justice.

Timid Witnesses - They are the shy witnesses. The approach must be friendly and reassuring
confidentiality of their information. They should be hidden from the devouring press by interviews or
photo sessions.

Boasting, Egoistic, or Egocentric Witnesses – They will be good witness because of their ability of
expressing their accounts. The investigator must be patient in dealing with them.

Refusal to Talk Witnesses - These are the most difficult subjects to deal with. Find out the reasons of
their personality. The cause maybe trauma, shock, fear, hatred, and others. Remove these fetters of
silence and they will start talking.