Description

Details Matter 

“Details matter” should be the mantra of every investigator no matter the type of case. “I didn’t know it was important” or “You didn’t ask me” are just two victim and witness comments that indicate their interviews were incomplete and poorly conducted. The simple truth is most investigators get outdated or at best very rudimentary if any training at all on properly interviewing victims and witnesses.

 

Consequences 

The consequences of poorly conducted interviews during any investigation are virtually unlimited. Statements can be contaminated and compromised. A loss of trust in the investigator by the victim, witness, and even the jury. Prosecutors and / or administrators blind sided by previously undisclosed information. Time and resources wasted retracing details missed during initial interviews. 

 

Doing it Right! 

Because “details matter,” interviews done right the first time increase the amount of information, productive leads, and facilitates a more efficient and focused investigative process. Victims and witnesses are more engaged and cooperative. Fully informed and appropriate administrative or prosecutorial decisions can be made bringing the case to a proper conclusion. 

 

New & Experienced Investigators 

This course is designed to help investigators progress their interviewing skills far beyond the basic “5 W’s and 1H” approach to interviewing. It will provide “cutting edge” methods that are easy to learn and deploy while maximizing details retrieved during interviews. Experienced investigators will be “rejuvenated” while new or fairly new investigators will be “educated” about “recall enhancing” methods that produce comprehensive, detail rich interviews. 

 

Recommended for: • Criminal Investigators • Regulatory Inspectors • Fire / Arson • Occupational Safety Investigators • Internal Affairs • Corrections Investigators • Insurance Special Investigations • Loss Prevention / Risk Management Professionals 

 

Participant will:

  • Learn how to employ “recall enhancing methods” when interviewing. 
  • Understand the 3 stages of memory.
  • Explore the concept of the “Interviewer Impact Principle.” 
  • Discover how to gain and maintain victim and witness trust. 
  • Know how to avoid common statement contamination pitfalls.
  • Get an introduction to the “reality monitoring” concepts. 
  • Learn the symptoms that suggest false or incomplete statements