The reliability of information gathered from victims, witnesses, suspects and informants is a central component of effective criminal investigations. This advanced course builds upon the skills learned in IPTM’s Interviews and Interrogations. We will teach you how to enhance the memory of victims and witnesses and increase the volume and reliability of the information obtained through the interview process.
This course will further enhance your interviewing skills using two highly proven methods of extracting accurate information from individuals: cognitive interviewing, which can enhance the memory and recall of victims and witnesses; and investigative statement analysis, a method for conducting a structured and systematic analysis of written or spoken words. These techniques will improve your ability to identify missing information and distinguish between deception and truthfulness.
We will introduce specialized techniques to use during cognitive interviews that maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of human memory. These techniques lead to more reliable information and a better understanding of how information is processed and communicated from a person’s memory. Utilizing investigative statement analysis allows you to gain valuable insight into a person’s motivations, which can provide you with both psychological and tactical advantages during the interviewing process. You will learn how to identify areas where you will direct your investigation and focus detailed questioning during follow-up interviews.
Throughout the course, you will participate in group and individual exercises to practice and demonstrate what you have learned and improve your active listening skills.
Topics Include
- Memory and cognition
- Key components of Cognitive Interviewing
- Foundation of investigative interviewing
- Developing and maintaining rapport
- Enhancing your active listening
- Effective questioning strategies
- Key concepts and principles of verbal analysis and deception
- Personalizing the interview
- Special issues with victims/witnesses
- Stages of victimization and the impact on obtaining information
- Key components of investigative statement analysis
- Obtaining reliable written statements from people
- Miller’s law
- Verbally Evasive Expressions and Responses™ (VEER)
- Mirror of the Mind
Audience
Patrol officers, first responders, new and seasoned investigators, military investigative personnel, and others in the legal system who review or conduct investigations
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
Course Length
40 hours