Introduction to Interviewing and Interrogation

Course purpose
The course develops the learner’s ability to plan, conduct, document and evaluate an ethical investigative interview. It is intentionally introductory in subject coverage but specialist in application: learners must make defensible choices about purpose, questioning, safeguards, bias, documentation and corroboration in a realistic forensic context.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion, the learner should be able to:
1. Distinguish an information-gathering interview from coercive, confession-driven or procedurally defective questioning.
2. Prepare a proportionate interview plan that links objectives, evidence, risks, logistics and interviewee safeguards.
3. Use rapport, active listening and a structured sequence of open, probing and clarifying questions to obtain an accurate account.
4. Evaluate and document interview information without treating demeanour, confidence or inconsistency as a substitute for corroborated evidence.