4.
Preliminary Preparation.
a. The Interview and Interrogation Room.
The Field Office/Resident Agency
commander must provide a suitable room.
Make sure that the room is properly
prepared prior to the interview or interrogation. When it is not feasible to use
this room, you must be sure that the location selected and the surroundings are the
best available.
When you select a location, you must be aware of psychological
factors for a successful interview or interrogation. Privacy is important. Most
people with problems often find it easier to confide in one person rather than two
or more.
Equally as important, is to have a comfortably furnished room, free of
distractions. This room should be plain, windowless, or have covered windows. It
should have soft lighting and be free of telephones, display of firearms, night
sticks, as well as plaques or slogans. The seating should be arranged so that you
can reach out and touch the suspect. Tables, desks, or other pieces of furniture
should not be between you and the subject.
This would offer him a psychological
barrier to hide behind. An example of good seating is shown in Figure 1-1. It is
important co have an observation room adjoining this room.
This would be
partitioned with a two-way mirror and contain a concealed microphone. This would
then be set up for stenographic service as well as other needed observations or
recording of what occurs in the room.
Figure 1-1.
Interrogation Room.
1-3
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