In a special session to start the NRF PROTECT conference, over 75 registrants attended an in-depth, two-hour WZ workshop. Analyzing a theft scenario and breaking it down within their groups helped attendees flex their investigative mindset. A key to success in LP is being curious. Good investigators ask questions and want to know all the what-ifs and use a variety of reasoning to come to unbiased conclusions: abductive, inductive, and deductive. According to Dave Thompson, CFI, president at WZ, “Instead of relying on gut feelings, being intentional in your investigative strategy will lead to more actionable information.”
Attendees were given a $18,000 deposit theft case to work on and an opportunity to exercise their investigative mindset. Most practitioners in the field can agree that missing deposit cases are extremely complicated to work on. There tends to be little evidence, many suspects, operational issues, and multiple other concerns. And don’t forget it could have been stolen at the bank or not stolen at all! Luckily for attendees, they got to practice their deposit investigation skills in a lower-risk environment in the workshop with a “who-done-it” scenario.
Starting with a review of the case facts and evidence, each table worked together to come up with an investigative strategy: a list of suspects, if interviews were needed, the order of interviews, and the objective of each interview. Could it be external or internal? As Wayne Hoover, CFI, senior partner at WZ, said, “It’s a WZ training class, so what do you think? Of course it’s internal!”
The groups were supplied with purchase history, safe code alarm reports, cash office door ajar reports, safe logs, and other details. They also discussed what other case facts would have been helpful and needed for a more complete investigation. The group agreed that the store manager in this scenario was weak, and then each table explained their reasoning for the order of the employee interviews.
After receiving the statements obtained from their “fact gathering” interviews, the group was then tasked to decide what the objectives of the interview are for the prime suspect, what excuses or explanations might come up, and which interview method is the best.
There was some lively discussion and engagement from the attendees as they discussed best methods to move forward in the final stages of the investigation. There are multiple methods to approach interviews, and it was clear that investigators need to have more than one tool in their kit in order to be successful. “Remember back when we didn’t have cameras? Exercises like this class help us to remember the basics, not overly rely on digital evidence, and think outside the box,” stated Amanda Weaver, CFI, manager of investigations at WZ.
Presenting in this format is unique to NRF PROTECT and great way for attendees to start their experience. Said Thompson, “We are thankful for NRF’s commitment to the continued education of our industry.”