How to Interview a Suspect
Start the interview with light conversation., Switch to the subject of the questioning abruptly., Let the interrogated person tell you their story without interrupting them., Have another person enter the room shortly after the interviewed person...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Start the interview with light conversation.
While doing so, establish the character of the questioned person.
This may involve their occupation, musical preferences, family, etc.
During this preliminary chat look for signs if the person is nervous and scared, prone to bragging, confident or not.
Mark their level of intelligence and adapt to it. -
Step 2: Switch to the subject of the questioning abruptly.
This way you'll be able to notice the interviewed person's reaction.
Remember that in 9 out of 10 cases the first impressions are the most correct. , Look for inconsistencies.
Being too detailed often shows the person has been prepared for questioning and has had the time to make their story up. , Your associate must pretend to say something in your ear.
Give the interviewed person a short look and excuse yourself. , At this time the suspect should be worried as to what has happened during your leave. , Then proceed to ask the suspect about the inconsistent points in his story. , Some questions, like the color of a hit-and-run vehicle are easy to answer and the suspect saying they don't remember is an obvious attempt to conceal something.
On the other hand, it would be strange for the interrogated person to have seen or remember the license number, so answering this question would show them having thought the whole thing over. ,, These may include crossing the hands (defensive position), sitting on the edge of the chair, too relaxed posture, tilting their head to the right, looking up as they think of the answer. , shows that the suspect is lying.
People who believe in what they say do not appeal to the listener's trust. , This way you can see whether they're willing to answer your questions correctly. , For example, if the hit-and-run has been driving on the suspect's side of the road(assuming you're in a right-side traffic country), it's strange for the suspect to say the car had a scratch on the left side.
How have they seen it? These little details most often reveal a liar. , It does not mean they're a criminal. -
Step 3: Let the interrogated person tell you their story without interrupting them.
-
Step 4: Have another person enter the room shortly after the interviewed person has finished their story.
-
Step 5: Return in about 20 minutes.
-
Step 6: Take about 5 minutes during which you may rearrange things on your desk
-
Step 7: or scribble something on a scrap of paper.
-
Step 8: Ask for details.
-
Step 9: Combine the real questioning with irrelevant questions
-
Step 10: leading the suspect into believing you have something on your mind.
-
Step 11: Look for signs the suspect is lying.
-
Step 12: Frequent use of expletives like "honestly"
-
Step 13: frankly
-
Step 14: Ask the suspect a question the answer to which you already know.
-
Step 15: Be careful about the details.
-
Step 16: Remember that everyone lies when questioned.
Detailed Guide
While doing so, establish the character of the questioned person.
This may involve their occupation, musical preferences, family, etc.
During this preliminary chat look for signs if the person is nervous and scared, prone to bragging, confident or not.
Mark their level of intelligence and adapt to it.
This way you'll be able to notice the interviewed person's reaction.
Remember that in 9 out of 10 cases the first impressions are the most correct. , Look for inconsistencies.
Being too detailed often shows the person has been prepared for questioning and has had the time to make their story up. , Your associate must pretend to say something in your ear.
Give the interviewed person a short look and excuse yourself. , At this time the suspect should be worried as to what has happened during your leave. , Then proceed to ask the suspect about the inconsistent points in his story. , Some questions, like the color of a hit-and-run vehicle are easy to answer and the suspect saying they don't remember is an obvious attempt to conceal something.
On the other hand, it would be strange for the interrogated person to have seen or remember the license number, so answering this question would show them having thought the whole thing over. ,, These may include crossing the hands (defensive position), sitting on the edge of the chair, too relaxed posture, tilting their head to the right, looking up as they think of the answer. , shows that the suspect is lying.
People who believe in what they say do not appeal to the listener's trust. , This way you can see whether they're willing to answer your questions correctly. , For example, if the hit-and-run has been driving on the suspect's side of the road(assuming you're in a right-side traffic country), it's strange for the suspect to say the car had a scratch on the left side.
How have they seen it? These little details most often reveal a liar. , It does not mean they're a criminal.
About the Author
Peter Jimenez
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow lifestyle tutorials.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: