This week’s International Association of Interviewers interview and interrogation training tip provided by Wicklander-Zulawski, has Wayne Hoover, CFI discussing giving witness instructions prior to the interview.
Anybody that’s ever conducted an interview or interrogation has had the opportunity to experience a witness who is out of control. They may do things to interrupt the flow of the interview or the admission itself. Here are a few tips that are recommended to give to our witnesses:
- At no time are you to talk to the subject other than “hello” and “good-bye”.
- At no time are you to talk to me. On the outside chance that I ask you a question and I really want an answer from you, I’ll let you know.
- While we’re in the interview, please do not talk to yourself.
- At no time are you to touch the subject other than “hello” or “good-bye”.
- At no time are you to touch me.
- At no time are you to be touching yourself during the interview process.
While some of these may sound a little strange, make sure that you take the time to explain these rules to the witness. You can’t assume that anybody knows and understands what the rules are.
Every loss prevention investigator should continuously strive to enhance their investigative interviewing skills as part of an ongoing commitment to best-in-class interviewing performance. This includes holding ourselves to an elite standard of interview and interrogation training that is ethical, moral and legal while demanding excellence in the pursuit of the truth. The International Association of Interviewers (IAI) and Wicklander-Zulawski (WZ) provide interview and interrogation training programs and additional guidance to investigators when dealing with dishonest employees, employee theft, sexual harassment, policy violations, building rapport, pre-employment interviewing, lying, denials and obtaining a statement.
By focusing on the latest information and research from experts in the field as well as academia, legal and psychological resources, these video tips provide interview and interrogation training techniques that can enhance the skill sets of professionals with backgrounds in Law Enforcement, Loss Prevention, Security, Asset Protection, Human Resources, Auditors or anyone looking to obtain the truth.
To learn more about interview and interrogation training and how you can further develop your professional skill sets, please visit www.w-z.com or www.certifiedinterviewer.com for additional information.
