The current trends in interview techniques

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• Use of non-confrontational techniques: Interviewers are moving away from confrontational techniques, such as accusations and threats, and towards more non-confrontational techniques, such as open-ended questions and active listening. This is because non-confrontational techniques are more likely to create a safe and supportive environment in which suspects are willing to talk.
• Use of technology: Technology is playing an increasingly important role in interviewing. For example, interviewers may use video recording to document interviews or to conduct interviews with suspects who are located in remote locations.

Questions to Ask a Suspect During an Initial Interview Here are two questions that I would ask a suspect during an initial interview:

1. Can you please tell me what happened today?
2. What is your side of the story?

I would ask these questions because they are open-ended and allow the suspect to tell their story in their own words. This can help to identify any inconsistencies in the suspect's story and to obtain information that the investigator may not have been aware of. Questions to Ask a Suspect During a Follow-Up Interview Here are two questions that I would ask a suspect during a follow-up interview:

1. I have some new information about the case. I would like to hear your thoughts on it.
2. I have spoken to other witnesses, and their stories differ from yours. Can you please explain why?

I would ask these questions because they are designed to challenge the suspect's story and to obtain more information. By presenting the suspect with new information and confronting them with inconsistencies in their story, the investigator may be able to get the suspect to confess or to provide more accurate information. Reasons for the Questions Asked The questions that I have asked are designed to obtain accurate and reliable information from the suspect. They are also designed to build rapport with the suspect and to create a safe and supportive environment in which the suspect is willing to talk. Authoritative Sources The following authoritative sources support the use of non-confrontational interview techniques:

• Fraud Examiners Manual by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
• The Interviewing of Witnesses and Victims of Crime by the National Institute of Justice
• The Psychology of Interviewing and Interrogation by G. Keith Gordon
• Interviewing and Interrogation: Techniques for Law Enforcement by John E. Reid and Associates

Conclusion Interviewing is a complex and challenging skill. However, by following current trends and using best practices, investigators can increase their chances of obtaining accurate and reliable information from suspects.  

Sample Answer

   

Current Trends in Interview Techniques

The field of interviewing is constantly evolving, as new research and best practices emerge. Some of the current trends in interview techniques include:

• Focus on rapport: Interviewers are increasingly recognizing the importance of building rapport with suspects in order to obtain accurate and reliable information. This can be done by being respectful, empathetic, and understanding.