SESSION

INTERVIEWING
TECHNIQUES
PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW?
 Types Of Interview

Evidence
Confess Trust
Gathering
 STAGES IN AN INTERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

RAPPORT & QUESTIONING

SUMMARY

ADMISSION SEEKING & CLOSE

 STAGE 1:
INTRODUCTION
 GENERAL RULES FOR INTRODUCTION PHASE

 PROVIDE YOUR INTRODUCTION PROPERLY

 ASK NON SENSITIVE QUESTIONS

 INTERVIEW ONE PERSON AT A TIME

 OBSERVE THE REACTION

STAGE 2: RAPPORT
& QUESTIONING
 TYPES OF QUESTIONS

• Requires yes/no answers

Closed • e.g. are you responsible for giving refunds

• Requires narrative response

Open • e.g. Could you explain the system of giving refunds?

• Interviewer provides an answer within the question

Leading • e.g. Is it true that after punching in yesterday you went
directly to the library?
 DEALING WITH STUBBORN PEOPLE

 DO NOT REACT

 DISARM THE PERSON

 PUT THAT PERSON IN SOMEONE

ELSE’S SHOES

 TELL THEM SOME CONSEQUENCES OF

NON COOPERATION
STAGE 3: SUMMARY
STAGE 4: ADMISSION
SEEKING &CLOSE
 ADMISSION SEEKING & CLOSE

 DIRECT ACCUSATION

 INTERRUPT DENIALS BY PRESENTING PARTIAL EVIDENCE

 EMPATHISE TO GET ADMISSION

 PRESENT ALTERNATIVE IN CASE OF EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWNS

 INFORMATION TO BE OBTAINED DURING
CONFESSION

 Confirm that the accused knew about everything

 People involved
 Motive for the offence
 When did it begin
 Physical evidence
 Location on assets
 Disposition of assets
 Specifics of each offence
NONVERBAL CUES
SMILE: FAKE OR A REAL ONE??
EYES
 OTHER NONVERBAL CUES

ARROGANT SENSE OF DEFEAT GUILT

SCARED CONFIDENT BORED

VERBAL CUES
 Shifting possessive
Balance of a written
Switching from “I” pronouns e.g. Switching
statement e.g. lopsided
to “We” from “My computer” to
contents
“That computer”
 Repeating of the question
or failure to understand
simple terms (buying Change in speech speed
Changing Tenses more time to answer & volume
questions)
Commenting on room Oaths: Swearing to Increasingly weaker
environment God denials
Tips on good interviewing
 Go fully prepared for the interview
 Put the interviewee at ease
 Interview only 1 person at a time
 Use short, easy to understand questions
 Try to avoid a lot of “Yes” & “No” questions
 Keep the interview on track
 Do not reveal too much evidence during the
interview
 Maintain control over the interview
 Take proper permission from the organization for
which you are conducting the interview
THINGS TO BE AVOIDED IN AN INTERVIEW

THREATENING

DETAINING THE COMPOMISING

AVOID
PERSON CONFIDENTIALITY

NEGOTIATION
 USING RECORDING DEVICES

An interview can also be recorded by way of a Short Descriptive Note. Such notes shall essentially be
signed by the interviewee to increase the authenticity of the data and use it as an evidence.
 A person is innocent until proved guilty. It is the duty of the prosecution
to prove their case against a person suspected of committing an offence.

 So, threatening a person, using abusive language, passing defamatory

remarks can create trouble for an investigator
INTERROGATION
Thank you !