Determine Appropriate Interrogation Techniques. Interrogation methods are based on
the certainty of guilt of a suspect. Interrogation techniques are the way in which
the questions are phrased. For example, suppose a suspect is a first offender or
has committed the offense out of emotion (such as anger, passion, or jealousy). A
sympathetic technique is useful.
On the other hand, suppose the suspect appears
confident in his alibi, seems to feel no remorse, or has committed an unemotional
crime. A technique oriented to logic and reasoning is useful.
When you use the sympathetic technique you employ several rules.
Gain the
confidence of the suspect and assist the suspect in "saving face." This is in order
to get a description of the crime from its conception to commitment. The questions
that you ask should be worded so that they minimize moral implications and avoid
discussions of the punitive outcomes of the crime. If the interrogation seems to
bog down, point out that the suspect shows signs of stress that indicate his guilt.
Such subtle suggestions, while not influencing the contents of the suspect's
statement, Will help to encourage a suspect to give an accurate statement.
An
example might be, "I can understand why you hit that guy." (which helps the accused
to save face), as opposed to "You can get into a lot of trouble for hitting that
guy." (which points out the punitive outcome).
Logic and reasoning seem to help with a suspect who shows no remorse or arrogance
about the charges against him.
Your attitude in confronting this type is to
convince the suspect that guilt can be or has been established.
Point out the
futility of denying guilt.
Show the facts that establish his guilt.
Refute his
alibis and contradictions with established evidence and testimony. Eventually, you
should be able to get to the root of the story. Remember--
o
Do not use leading questions that suggest an expected answer.
o
Do not promise anything.
There are other techniques to get a suspect or accused person to make a truthful
statement. It is your choice which techniques to apply in a given situation. Some
examples are--
o
Claim the victim exaggerated the incident.
o
Present a hypothetical story.
o
Play one suspect against another.
o
Offer excuses for the suspect.
o
"Condemn the victim" (assert that the victim probably contributed to the
crime).
These are only a sample of techniques that you will see or could use.
They
depend on your personality and the known circumstances of the incident.
You
MP2004
2-24
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