This week’s International Association of Interviewers interview and interrogation training tip provided by Wicklander-Zulawski, has Chris Norris, CFI, director of WZ Europe and international training, talking about enticement questions.
The enticement question is one that we ask to challenge or verify someone’s story. The question is set up using information that you may have already related to your investigation—and then presented in such a way that allows you to protect your evidence.
The great thing about the enticement question is that we can use it regardless of whether we have any evidence. The wording of the question thus becomes very important.
Ultimately, what we’re doing is we’re suggesting to our subject that we have information that could prove their story or their alibi to be inaccurate.
If their story is true, then in theory, they will maintain that original story. However, if the story’s not true, asking an enticement question allows us to gauge our subject’s reactions to that question, which is where they tend to change the story.
One example of a simple enticement question in a retail environment would be, “Is there any reason you can think of that we’d have camera footage of you taking that money out of the till?”
A more difficult one might be something like, “Are there any reasons you can think of that your fingerprints would be on the safe?” Once again, we’re not saying that they are there, but we’re throwing this suggestion out to see if they maintain the original version of the story—or if the story begins to change based upon this new information presented to them.
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, visit www.w-z.com or www.certifiedinterviewer.com.
This post was originally published on March 4, 2019 and updated May 29, 2019.