PART A - DEFINITIONS AND CONDITIONS OF INTERVIEWS/INTERROGATIONS
1.
General.
For example, suppose A says B robbed him. Also, C saw B rob A, and D saw B at a later time spending
a lot of money. Therefore, A is the victim (because it was his property that was stolen). B. is the
suspect (because there is cause to believe they each know facts that are related to the robbery).
Technically, all four will be considered witnesses, because all four have information related to the
robbery.
a. There is a difference between an interview and an interrogation. Interviews involve
questioning a person who is ready, willing, and able to provide information. Interrogations involve
questioning a person who is not able or willing to fully disclose pertinent information he possesses.
b. In this case, you would probably interview A (the victim), and interrogate B (the suspect).
You would normally interview C and D, also. Suppose, however, that C "does not want to get involved"
and does not want to talk. In this case, your interrogate C. Sometimes you might need to interrogate a
victim, too. If the victim is trying to hide his part in a crime, he might not want to talk.
c. The goal of interviews and interrogations is to get the truth and establish facts. These facts
are reported in a statement. You might get an admission or confession in a suspect's or an accused
person's statement.
(1) Statement
An assertion (written or oral) of facts that are pertinent to an investigation. It is secured from anyone
having knowledge of an offense.
(2) Admission
A self-incriminating statement that falls short of an acknowledgement of guilt.
(3) Confession
A complete acknowledgement of guilt.
d. Each person, A through D, made a statement during their interviews and interrogations. If B
said that he was at the scene, but did not commit a robbery, then he made an admission. If B said he did
rob A, then he made a confession.
e. You already know that interviews and interrogations are separate events. The preparations
for both, however, are very similar. There are basic elements of information that are needed to conduct
either an interview or an interrogation.
MP2003
3-2
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