2. Introduction
• Knowledge obtained through questioning and physical
evidence is equally important
• Questioning can provide leads for finding physical
evidence
• Confession must be supported by physical evidence or
other corroboration
Hess 6-2
3. Sources of Information
OVERVIEW
• Three primary sources of information are available
Reports, records and databases
People who are not suspects in a crime but who know
something about the crime
Suspects in the crime
Hess 6-3
4. Sources of Information
REPORTS, RECORDS AND DATABASES
• Local resources
• Auto track systems
• Caller ID
• Pen registers
• Dialed number recorders (DNRs)
• State and federal resources
Hess 6-4
5. Sources of Information
THE INTERNET
• Extremely valuable source of information
VICTIMS, COMPLAINTS AND WITNESSES
• Neighborhood canvass
• Knock and talk
• A caution
Hess 6-5
6. Sources of Information
INFORMANTS
• Confidential informants
• Establishing reliability
SUSPECTS
• Directly or indirectly connected with a crime
• Field interviews
Hess 6-6
7. Interviewing and Interrogating
OVERVIEW
• Information is obtained continuously throughout an
investigation
• Interview
Not suspects but know something of value
• Interrogation
Suspected of direct or indirect involvement
Hess 6-7
8. Interviewing and Interrogating
CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE
INTERVIEWER/INTERROGATOR
• Adaptable and culturally adroit
• Knowledgeable about
elements of crime
ENHANCING COMMUNICATION
• Emotional barriers
• Other barriers
Hess 6-8
9. Interviewing and Interrogating
EFFECTIVE QUESTIONING TECHNIQUES
• Two basic requirements
Listen
Observe
• Types of questions: direct, indirect, closed-ended,
open-ended and leading
• Recording and videotaping interviews and
interrogations
Hess 6-9
10. The Interview
OVERVIEW
• Establish priority of obtaining statements
• Main sources of information
Complainant, the victim and witnesses
• In most cases, interview complainants first
• Record both positive and negative information
Hess 6-10
11. The Interview
ADVANCE PLANNING
• Review reports about the case
• Anticipate how people will respond
SELECTING THE TIME AND PLACE
• Ensure scene is safe and determine complainant
• Witnesses recall details best immediately
Hess 6-11
12. The Interview
BEGINNING THE INTERVIEW
• Friendly but professional
• Show your credentials
ESTABLISHING RAPPORT
• Understanding
• Careful listening
• Enhance rapport
Hess 6-12
13. The Interview
NETWORKING AN INTERVIEW
• Establishes relationships
• Understand networks in your jurisdiction
RELUCTANT INTERVIEWEES
• Logical approach
• Emotional approach
Hess 6-13
14. The Interview
THE COGNITIVE INTERVIEW
• Tries to get the interviewee to recall scene mentally
• Secluded, quiet place free of distractions
• Reconstruct the circumstances
TESTIMONIAL HEARSAY
• Includes prior testimony
• Statements made as a result of police interrogation
Hess 6-14
15. The Interview
STATEMENTS
• Legal narrative
• Description of events related to a crime
• Formal, detailed account
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
• Thank the person for cooperating
Hess 6-15
16. The Interrogation
THE MIRANDA WARNING
• When Miranda does not apply
• Waiving the rights
• The effects of Miranda
• Miranda challenged
“QUESTION FIRST” OR “BEACHHEADING”
• Found unconstitutional
Hess 6-16
17. The Interrogation
INTERPLAY OF 4TH AND 5TH AMENDMENTS
• Public safety exception
• Right to counsel under the Fifth and Sixth
Amendments
FOREIGN NATIONALS
• Vienna Convention Treaty, signed in 1963
• Diplomatic immunity
Hess 6-17
18. The Interrogation
SELECTING THE TIME AND PLACE
• Ideal conditions exist at the police station
• Many opinions on furnishings
STARTING THE INTERROGATION
• Show that you are in command
• Watch nonverbal communication
Hess 6-18
19. The Interrogation
ESTABLISHING RAPPORT
• Show that cooperation is desirable
APPROACHES TO INTERROGATION
• Inquiring directly or indirectly and forcing responses
• Deflating or inflating the ego and projecting the blame
• Rationalizing and combining approaches
• Minimizing or maximizing the crime
Hess 6-19
20. The Interrogation
USING PERSUASION
• Make suspect comfortable
• Investigative questionnaires
ETHICS AND THE USE OF DECEPTION
• Limited officially sanctioned deception
• Interrogatory deception
• Professional behavior remains important
Hess 6-20
21. The Interrogation
THIRD-DEGREE TACTICS
• Physical force
• Mental or psychological abuse
ADMISSIONS AND CONFESSIONS
• Voluntary nature of the confession is essential
• Bruton rule
• Adoptive admission
Hess 6-21
22. Questioning Children and Juveniles
CONSIDERATIONS
• Special considerations exist
• First step is to build rapport
• Must obtain parental permission
• Topics of inquiry may hinder interview
• Do not underrate young people’s intelligence or
cleverness
Hess 6-22
23. Evaluating and Corroborating Information
BREAKING A “PAT” STORY
• Repeats it word for word innumerable times
• Difficult to repeat lies consistently
• Story becomes distorted with mistakes and
exaggerations
• Ask questions that require slightly different answers
Hess 6-23
24. Scientific Aids to Obtaining
and Evaluating Information
POLYGRAPH AND VOICE STRESS TESTS
• Records several measurements
on a visible graph
Respiration
Depth of breathing
Skin’s electrical
resistance
Blood pressure
Pulse Hess 6-24
25. Use of Psychics and Profilers
SOURCES FOR LEADS
• Psychics popularized by television
• Use of psychics in investigations is controversial
• Profilers are more commonly accepted
• Profiling combines art and science
Hess 6-25
27. Information versus Intelligence
DATA VALUE
• Information is simply data
• Data must have value
• Information plus analysis
• Applying analytical skills
Hess 6-27
28. Summary
• The ultimate goal of interviewing and interrogating is to
determine the truth
• Two basic requirements to obtain information are to
listen and to observe
• Interview anyone other than a suspect who has
information about the case
• Special considerations are also observed when
questioning children and youths
• You can sometimes use scientific aids
Hess 6-28
