Part B - The Interrogation

Any other technique you can create; you are limited only by your own imagination.

You must be cautious to stay within the bounds of legality and not violate the

suspect's rights.

7.

Recording the Facts.

Take notes of person's name and address during the

questioning.

You must train yourself to remember correctly all the facts and

discrepancies during the interrogation. Do not take written notes until after the

suspect has confessed and is willing to fully cooperate.

Then explain to the

suspect that you wish to take notes only to ensure that you get his story down

straight.

8.

Evaluating the Information. You have opportunity during the interrogation to

observe and to evaluate the mannerisms and the emotional state of the subject. Be

alert for any signs of emotional disturbance or nervous tension that may indicate

deception or guilt. Evaluate the information given in respect to known facts, the

testimony of the victim and witnesses, and the physical evidence available. Verify

every pertinent statement made by the suspect.

9.

Summary.

Interviews and interrogations are the principle activities of CID

investigators engaged in the search for truth. Without them, special agents cannot

expect to learn about events that happened while they were not present. Interviews

should be conducted where the person interviewed is at ease, while interrogations

should be conducted where the CID investigator enjoys the psychological advantage.

Interviews serve to develop leads, verify facts, obtain information, identify

persons, develop background information, and locate the fruits of the crime.

Interrogations are conducted to get facts from persons who will not respond to

questions set in an interview framework.

Frequently, interrogations are

questioning sessions with suspects and are designed to get admissions or

confessions of guilt; however, interrogation approaches and techniques may be

useful in getting the truth from any person, including victims, who are involved in

CID investigations.

PART B: THE INTERROGATOR

1.

Conduct and Attitude. As an SA, the conduct and attitude toward the subject

may be the key to success or failure. Your attitude should be that of one seeking

the truth, rather than a confession or a conviction; you should be seeking to

clarify a misunderstanding, or to help the subject straighten himself out rather

than seek punishment. A sympathetic, understanding attitude, on your part, will be

far more effective than one that belittles or degrades the subject. The approach

used will vary with each case, but the following tips will be useful, regardless of

the approach.

a. Command.

Be in command of any interrogation.

You must establish your

command, not through your authority, but by your personality and air of confidence.

Do this by being firm and sympathetic, without being harsh or soft.

Present a

calm, dignified, self-assured manner, confident of your own ability to get the

facts from any subject.

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