The Detective School Module 7 is designed to educate patrol personnel, or newly assigned Detectives, how to utilize the lost art of interviewing and interrogation. We will discuss how to be a better listener while gathering information from witnesses, victims, and suspects. We will discuss the most common mistakes that occur during interviews and how to avoid them. Transitioning to the role of a Detective, you will be expected, and required, to know the legalities involved when speaking to victims, witnesses, and suspects; we will teach you how. You will learn how to obtain more information from co-operative interviewees using Cognitive Interviewing. Rapport building is a key element to creating relationships with victims and witnesses, and on occasion, suspects. You will also learn how to build rapport with almost anyone, and why first impressions are important.

We will review the three basic methods that people use when they lie, and how to defeat those lies. Detecting deception via facial expressions, use of emblems, and verbal indications will be discussed and explained. Emotions experienced when lying and how they impact your observations during interviews will be explored. Legal and lawful methods to motivate people to be more truthful will be explained.

Interviews and interrogations are by nature often a complicated portion of your investigation that requires knowledge of the facts of the case, tenacity, and knowledge of the law. What you say, how you say it, where the interview is conducted, and any legal ramifications may make the difference between having your interview inadmissible in court, or being successfully presented to the jury.

You will learn how to:

• Interview anyone about anything
• Avoid the pitfalls of a rushed interview
• Cognitive Interviewing
• The Art of Active Listening
• Plan for an interview: What is important
• What to expect from a suspect and how to use those statements
• Detecting Deception Basics
• Build Rapport
• Motivation
• Polygraph: when and how to use