Interview & Interrogation Techniques Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Interview & Interrogation Techniques flashcards as text
Which of the following represents a key difference between a 'witness interview' and a 'suspect interrogation' in fire investigations?
Answer: Interviews seek information while interrogations seek admissions from a known or suspected offender
Interviews are information-gathering conversations with cooperative subjects, while interrogations are accusatory processes designed to elicit admissions from suspects.
When documenting an interview in a fire investigation, which practice BEST protects the integrity of the statement?
Answer: Recording verbatim quotes and having the witness review and sign the statement
Recording verbatim statements and obtaining witness signature confirms accuracy and prevents later claims that the investigator misrepresented the testimony.
What is 'statement analysis' as applied in fire investigation interviews?
Answer: The systematic evaluation of written or verbal statements for linguistic cues of deception
Statement analysis examines linguistic patterns, word choices, and structural inconsistencies in statements as indicators of potential deception.
A fire investigator conducting a recorded interview should begin the recording by:
Answer: Stating the date, time, location, and identities of all persons present
Proper recorded interview protocol requires establishing the foundation at the outset: date, time, location, and identities of all participants.
During an interview, a fire victim becomes emotionally distressed when recalling events. The MOST appropriate investigator response is to:
Answer: Acknowledge the distress, offer a brief pause, and allow the victim to compose themselves
Acknowledging emotional distress and allowing brief pauses demonstrates empathy, builds rapport, and often produces more reliable information than pressing through distress.
In fire investigation, what is the primary purpose of conducting interviews at the fire scene rather than an office?
Answer: To allow witnesses to reference visual cues that may trigger additional memories
Scene-based interviews leverage environmental cues that can enhance witness memory retrieval and help identify details that might not surface in a sterile office environment.
Which of the following behaviors by an investigator is MOST likely to inhibit a witness from providing full information?
Answer: Displaying visible surprise or disbelief at the witness's account
Displaying disbelief or surprise signals judgment to the witness, which can cause them to shut down, minimize information, or alter their account to what they think the investigator wants to hear.