Investigations

Simply put, change of perspective is to allow the subject to see the situation from a decision-maker's point of view. Even though somebody has done something wrong, there are still two different ways to handle that situation: talk about it, or continue to lie about that happening.

Few core competencies are as important to senior loss prevention executives as a proficiency in theft investigations. Whether it is knowing when to initiate an investigation, how...

Rationalizing and allowing a subject to save face is a very powerful tool. We want to make sure we're doing it the right way. My challenge to you is: have you evolved in the way you deliver and understand the risks and importance of rationalizing with your subjects?

The commonly used phrase "human lie detector" is a worrisome phrase. It's worrisome when people think they can identify truth or deception simply based off somebody brushing lint off their shoulder.

If a subject sees a stack of CDs or flash drives, that might cause them to ask you, "Hey, what's on those? Can I see those?" We prefer to not release evidence to the subject in an effort to help substantiate a confession and make sure the admission can be preserved.

When we rationalize with a subject, what we do is allow the subject to save face. We show understanding by realizing that sometimes good people make bad decisions because of outside pressures.

How do LP practitioners deal with the pressures of conducting internal theft interrogations in a forthright and honest way?What are the boundaries when it comes to obtaining an admission?

Here's one unfortunate reason: "If I work in a building with 500 people, surely somebody else will say something. It doesn't have to be me."

I am constantly on the lookout for research studies conducted on the subject of theft by employees. A few years ago, I came across a...