Interrogations and interviews

[Teacher]

Recommendations for conducting interviews and interrogations.

This article was written for those who should conduct these very interrogations. Methods of psychological pressure. Fundamentals of Human Psychology. It is extremely interesting to read.

The purpose of the interview and interrogation.

When you enter the room where the person being interrogated is, your goal is to get information from him or to obtain a confession to establish the facts of the case, and his goal is to try to hide this information. A competition begins, in the course of which two characters, two intellects, will collide, a competition that will require perseverance from you. The duty of the investigator is to treat each case with an open mind. It is necessary to take into account physical evidence and the information that you can learn from the suspect during the conversation or interrogation. At the stage of the conversation, the suspect should be given the opportunity to freely answer questions, and you will only listen so that you can normalize the situation.

Preparing the interview room

Usually this is a room where two or three people can freely fit. Small table, two or three chairs. It is better that the room be equipped with a hidden video camera and the ability to record the event on a VCR. The room should be as quiet as possible, try to eliminate all external noise. Upon entering the room, the suspect almost always sits on the chair closest to the door. Immediately ask him to change seats. Thus, you will let him know who is in charge, and teach him that he will have to follow your orders. You need to know as much as possible about the crime. Read and read the additional materials carefully - the more you know, the better you will be able to fend off the suspect's arguments, and the more surely you will not be confused. Check the criminal record of the suspect. The past of man is the best way to determine what he is capable of in the future. If possible, wear a tie, but no jacket. For many people, a jacket with a tie is scary from a purely psychological point of view. Get ready for the event. Prepare a criminal case, use auxiliary notes. Make sure the suspect's name is clearly visible on the outside of the case cover. This will let him know that he is on serious suspicion and you already have material on him. Putting as many sheets of paper as possible, letting the folder appear chubby, will help intimidate the suspect. Remember, he doesn't know what you have on him. The suspects always assume the worst. On the table, have a videotape with you, the label of which clearly reads the name of the enterprise or place of undercover operational surveillance with the name of the suspect.

Record keeping

Take notes at all times, but do not reveal to the suspect what is important and what is not. He will follow you as closely as you follow him. Keep him in the dark as to what you are doing. During the event it is necessary to keep a table of “guilt / innocence”. It is a simple tool based on a number of factors that indicate to an experienced investigator that a suspect is guilty or innocent. No single factor is decisive in isolation, but collectively they can be of great help. If there is a measure, make a note on one side of the notebook or the other. If it is about the indicator of “guilt”, make a pencil mark on the right side of the notebook, if there is an indicator of “innocence”, make a mark with a pencil on the left side.

Types of behavior that are recorded in the table:

Guilt

- You call the suspect for interrogation, but he does not ask why.
- If the suspect calls you once or twice before the appointed time to check if the interrogation has not been canceled.
- If the suspect is not alone (using the other person as a screen, trying to limit the time of meeting with you).
- If the suspect brings a certificate from a doctor confirming his innocence.
- If the suspect is late for an appointment (no matter what the reason).

Innocence

When you call a person, he says that he expected to be called in connection with his involvement in one way or another (works, lives where the crime took place, knows someone, etc.).

- Comes on time.
- Shows interest in the investigation process.
- In the first minutes, he volunteers to tell everything he knows about the crime / statement.
- Denies any involvement from the very first minutes.

Normalization of behavior

You should be polite and correct when dealing with a suspect. Do not try to scare or intimidate him, otherwise he will withdraw. If you are polite and correct with him, it will be a little embarrassing for him. Most people spend too much time watching TV and believe that they will be interrogated in the bright light of the lamp and under the shouts of the investigator. Politeness confuses them. An investigator should not shake hands while they are not being held out to him. A strong handshake confirms that YOU are the master of the situation. At this stage, it is very important to listen carefully to the answers to innocent, calm questions. Pay attention to how the suspect speaks, how loudly and quickly he answers, and most importantly, how he gestures. Then, when you start asking serious questions, you will start with the first observations as a basis. During a conversation, always ask to speak louder, referring to the fact that you have a little cold and your ears are clogged. Conversations / interrogations, as a rule, it is advisable to shoot with a hidden camera on videotape, and the volume will help later in decoding. This is also useful because, when dealing with difficult questions, the guilty suspect often lowers his voice to almost a whisper.

What should be monitored at the stage of normalization of behavior. (techniques by which the guilty person tries to disarm the investigator).

- Demonstrating Excessive Respect: The suspect wants to be liked and show how much he respects you.
- An attempt to establish contact. The suspect talks about getting to know other police officers; in a guilty person, the demonstration of disposition is often beyond reason.
- Changes in speech. When answering simple questions, he speaks normally. When the difficult ones begin, they begin to mumble and stutter.
- When answering difficult questions, he speaks at a faster pace (he does not want to answer such questions, so he tries to slip through them at speed).

The volume of the voice changes noticeably when it comes to an incident / crime:
- The voice is interrupted (this happens involuntarily, the person himself does not notice it).
- Dry mouth. Licks her lips.
- Nervous laugh and giggle. This is not funny to an innocent person.
- Complains of stuffiness. (especially when answering unpleasant questions: stress makes a person feel hot).
- Answers the simplest questions in too much detail. Or he gives too short answers.
-Inappropriate words / words not appropriate for the situation.
- the suspect, the murderer of his children. During interrogation, he said that the children had been kidnapped, and then spoke about them in the past tense: “I loved my kids!” (instead of saying “I love my kids!”).
- the suspect who shot and killed one of his children, when he was told that his 8-year-old daughter had survived, exclaimed: “What a shame!”.
- the suspect was told that his ex-wife was killed. He forgot to ask which one (he had two). He knew which one was killed.

Involuntary speech.

Listen to words that don't fit the situation. When the attacker is called “master”. Or when they say “I would take revenge” against the background of refusal of recognition. Listen to contradictions. It is difficult for people in stressful situations to remember their own lies. After they have detailed everything, ask them to repeat the facts again, this time in reverse order. It is very difficult to repeat a lie.

What you know and what they don't know

The perpetrator doesn't know what you already know. This is where we can mention the fact that forensic experts have found evidence and you need to take fingerprints, footprints from a suspect, photograph shoes, take hair samples, etc. (but don't go into details. If you say that the experts found fingerprints, and the criminal knows he worked with gloves, he will understand that you are bluffing. Speak about the examination vaguely).

One can mention the fact that a hidden video camera was installed in the shop / office of the company / office.

If there are more than one accused, tell one of them that others are already testifying to other investigators. Almost always, after such a statement, someone begins to speak. Explain the benefits of being the first to speak.

Facial expressions and gestures

Sign language is much better at helping you understand where the truth is and where the lie is than an oral answer. (when you ask a child if he has done anything, he lowers his head, sticks out his lower lip and says: “No.” What do you believe more - his answer or facial expressions?) This is a universal rule.

What to look for when working with a culprit.

- During the conversation, he constantly looks around at the door (he really wants to leave).
- The suspect sits further away from you, crossing his arms and looking defiantly in front of him.
- Extremely nervous condition. He tries to hide, but at the same time taps his foot endlessly.
- An answer to a difficult question, the suspect rubs his ears or nose. The blood vessels in this place are very thin, and when they heat up, they begin to itch, so the person involuntarily begins to rub them. In addition, the suspects are wiping their sweaty hands on their pants.
- The suspect is constantly “shining”: he runs his hand through his hair, removes specks of dust from the table, from himself, from objects. Thus, he tries to divert attention from his answer to the question.
- Yawning: The suspect begins to yawn to increase air flow, as stress narrows the airways.
- Looks away in difficult questions. (In case the suspect looked into the eyes at the stage of "normalization" of behavior, and now looks away, trying to hide his emotions.)
- Covers his mouth when answering questions. (He lies and tries to hide it from you.)

Qualifying questions (guilty and innocent answer the main questions differently)

Why are you here today? The guilty person will say that he does not know himself and that he was called in vain. The innocent person assumes that a crime has been committed and that he has been summoned to provide an alibi or assist the investigation.

Do you think it really happened? The culprit will say that he does not know anything and that he doubts whether what you are asking him about actually happened. The innocent will say that the event did take place.

Did you do that? The guilty person will begin to stammer, answer a question with a question, and hesitate to deny. The innocent will say no.

Did you tell anyone that you would come here today? The culprit will say that it is nobody's business. The innocent will answer that he told his father, mother, brother, other relatives, neighbors, etc. They are interested in what he is going to talk to the investigator.

Who do you think is above suspicion in connection with this case? The guilty person will only name himself. An innocent person will name several people: "It is unlikely that any of my colleagues could have done this."

How do you feel about the fact that you were summoned to talk on this topic? The guilty person will express his discontent: "They always accuse me of all sins, and all because the boss finds fault with me." An innocent person will say: "Come on, it's okay, even interesting, I'll be glad to help."

Why do you think they did it? The culprit will say, "I don't know." An innocent person will say that the fraudster needed money, he will talk about what “they did”.

Why don't you do this? The culprit will say: “This is not good,” you can easily get caught, and the security system is too reliable. An innocent person will say that he would not want to lose his freedom, reputation, family, love and respect, “I cannot afford to lose my job and everything that I have achieved”.

Punishment? What should be done with the one who did this? (very important) The guilty person will say that the criminal should be given one more chance, let him return the money, he should be treated. And the punishment is not for him to determine, this is a matter of the court. He will add that he has no opinion. Innocent: Pursue, fire, jail. The guilty person will be spoken of as an outsider, in the third person. “If the police catch him, then… ..”.

How do you think the investigation will end? The culprit will say, “I don’t know, this is your job.” He will say that everyone suspects him, that he is always accused of something. May say, "I hope they cleared my suspicion." An innocent person will say: “It will become clear that it is not me….”, Will confidently say that suspicion will be removed from him.

Trap question

Could your fingerprints end up on ... for any reason? I am not claiming that you did it, but could they still be there? The culprit will say that they may have been there earlier, or hesitate before answering (trying to remember if he touched anything). An innocent person will quickly give a negative answer to a trap question: "No, this cannot be."

Lie detector test question

“If it is necessary in the interests of the investigation, would you agree to undergo a voice stress test or a lie detector test? And if so, what results do you think it will give? Guilty: “No, if I am not obliged to do this, then I will not agree. I don’t believe such things ”. Mention some acquaintance who passed such a test and was unjustly accused. (If he agrees, he will say that the result will not be in his favor, since he is too nervous). The innocent will agree. He will say that the result will be normal, because he has nothing to hide.

The final part of the conversation

At this stage, the investigator must confidently determine whether the criminal is in front of him or not. If you are based on your experience, the content of the responses received, facial expressions, gestures, guilt / innocence table data, etc. if you think that this is the criminal, then proceed to the official interrogation.

DURING INTERROGATION, ONLY YOU SHOULD SPEAK, THE ONLY THAT YOU SHOULD HEAR FROM THE SUSPECTED IS A RECOGNITION OF COMMITTING A CRIME

Take a short break at this point. Leave the room for a few minutes. If possible, observe the suspect, leaving him alone; check for physical signs that "let go". It happens that suspects sigh loudly, as if they are glad that everything is over. See if he does anything unusual, cry, drop his head, talk to himself, etc.

Return to the room and issue an accusatory statement. "Ivanov, the results of the investigation indicate that you did it."

Watch your reaction. The innocent will immediately say that you were wrong. The culprit will lean back, collapse from the chair, shake his head, lower his head, etc. And if it does deny, it will not be a categorical denial.

“Ivanov, it is quite obvious that it was you who did it. Now I want to find out why you did it. ”

This is where the investigator must present reasonable, understandable and plausible reasons for the crime. You must convince the culprit that it is in his best interest to speak the truth. You need to gain recognition.

Removing the protective barrier

Why people do not want to confess:
- fear of prison;
- public disgrace;
- fear of revenge of accomplices;
- material losses.

At this stage of the interrogation, you are the main speaker. Do not ask the accused why he committed the crime - you yourself will tell him. Moreover, you add, it is perfectly understandable why he did it. It is difficult for a criminal to confess. So you have to encourage him to do it. You need to hear him only in one case - if he wants to confess to a crime.

Between two evils: It is easier to end this now and show justice that you truly repent than to feel the full weight of it. Those who confess to committing a crime and repent of what they have done are treated much better than hardened criminals without the slightest remorse.

Smooth and underestimate, not exacerbate. At this stage of the interrogation, the suspect must be made clear that what he has done is not so terrible. "This happens. Most have done the same thing, and if they didn't, they wanted to do it, that's for sure. "

"You can return the money to the company, can't you?"

"I will not tell the other accomplices what you told me."

“Honest people are no longer imprisoned. The prisons are overcrowded, there is only room for real criminals, not for those who, like you, have made a mistake. "

“Perhaps I can not enter this into the protocol. I will not report this to your boss / neighbor / friends. ”

Action Verbs: This is a minimization tactic. Instead of “kill” or “strangled”, say “when it happened”. Instead of “shot” or “tried to kill,” say “when the victim was injured”. Instead of "stole the money," say "when you got the money." Action verbs scare suspects; if you downplay the severity of what was done, it will be easier for them to talk about it.

Uncharacteristic: Tell the suspect that “this” is not his. This act is not typical for him. There was just a moment of weakness that he already regretted. He made a wrong judgment, it happens to everyone. There are so many stresses in his life that it is completely understandable why this happened. I just succumbed to temptation, like any person. The whole Bible is about this. Give examples when people stumbled, deliberately paid for it and continued to live normally.

Topics: Never ask a suspect “why” he did it. You tell him yourself. And the point is not that the suspect is a villain, but that by speaking, you can touch on a variety of options. At this stage, you offer him the reasons that prompted him to commit the crime. At the same time, watch his reaction. When you guess the topic that he is ready to accept, you will see that he will listen more attentively, change his posture, lean forward, raise his head to hear better. You know that all this is nonsense, he also knows that this is nonsense, but he thinks that this makes his act more understandable, and therefore not very bad.

Examples of topics: (great trick - blaming the victim for everything)

Theft: “Sometimes people find themselves in such a dire financial situation that they can only feed their families by“ borrowing ”money at work. I'm sure you were going to return everything as soon as possible. ” Accusation: “The boss shouldn't have left all the money there. He earns so much himself, but pays you a pittance! ”.

Sexual Harassment or Perversion: “Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between love and sex. All humans are naturally sexual. I guess you just got confused and succumbed to the action of hormones. " Accusation: “She runs around in her underwear, hangs on you, what do you want !.

Murder: “Sometimes things go wrong, you get angry, and then suddenly flare up, not even going to harm anyone. You were just trying to scare him and the gun went off. ” Accusation: “Now, if he just gave you the money, trouble would not have happened. If she had stopped resisting, nothing would have happened. "

Mental disorder and / or drug (alcohol) abuse; Criminals love when their crimes are attributed to mental disorders. They had heard on TV that abnormal people are usually not imprisoned. Plus, if you explain their crimes with drugs and alcohol, they'll talk.

Alternative questions (like "either-or"): (techniques that help maintain dignity, unwanted and desirable actions, any of these options is an admission of guilt.).

At this stage, you tell the suspect that you know that he did it, but you believe that it was done for a completely understandable reason. That is, by making the crime understandable, you diminish its severity.

Examples:

Did the gun fire accidentally when the victim ran, or did you shoot him like a dog?

Did you pick up a gun to shoot him or just scare him?

Did you hit him with a stick in self-defense or because he pissed you off?

Did you want to strangle her, or was it a form of rough sex?

Did you plan in advance to rob the company, or was it an impulse?

Did you want to hurt her or was it just because you were drunk / drugged?

Did you force her to have sex, or did she want it too?

When a suspect confesses to a crime, even partially, tell him that you understand everything. Then start asking more specific questions and find out the details. Now he knows that he has already admitted some guilt, and when he sees that you showed understanding, he will be more frank.

“Surrender” (How to Know if You’ve Found the Right Topic)

As an investigator, you must keep an eye on the suspect in the process of choosing topics or options. Watch for signs of readiness to “surrender”. By surrender, it means that it becomes clear to you that he accepts what you said and is ready to confess to the crime.

The suspect changes from defensive or belligerent posture to less tense posture.

The suspect listens more attentively and reacts physically to your words.

Straightens up in a chair, moves closer to you.

The suspect slumps in his chair and drops his head.

He looks like a beaten puppy, ashamed, while before that he had a defiant look.

Tears appear in the suspect's eyes. (The innocent do not cry; they leave long before that). When the suspect starts crying, do not bother him for a few seconds, then calm him down, tell him that everything will be fine. Again, give an alternative explanation: “I know that you didn’t mean to harm anyone, it all happened by accident”.

Recognition

Now that the suspect has admitted his guilt, you need to clarify the situation. If earlier he claimed that he knew nothing about the crime, now he starts talking. Ask him when it happened, how he got there, what the victim said, what he did. Where are the weapons? Where are the clothes you were wearing then? Where are the things? etc. If he is reluctant to answer you, remind him that he has already told part of the truth and that it is better to dot the I's.

Now point out to him the inconsistency of the presentation, tell him that you understand why he did not speak the truth before, but now, when he does everything as it should, he is given to be as frank as possible.

“Earlier you said that when the old woman was shot, she had a knife in her hand. We know that it was actually a TV remote control. I want to ask: was she shot because you didn't need a witness who could put you in jail, or you just wanted to know what it was like to shoot a person? ” He will most likely answer that he wanted to remove the witness. Because he doesn't want you to think of him as a monster.

Conclusion

Once you 've secured your confession, go through the entire crime from start to finish. Then do it again, asking the suspect to confirm what you are unsure of. This would prevent his lawyer from claiming that the confession was made out of confusion. Remain correct and polite towards the suspect, even after receiving a confession.

Once you have enough information to confirm the suspect's guilt in the case, raise the question of other crimes he may have committed. He will be inclined to talk, and this is usually how he is able to find out about other crimes he has committed.

As stated, the best practice is to videotape the statements. But if this is not possible, write down the confession. When drafting the confession text, make a couple of mistakes, mark them and correct them. Then ask the suspect to read the statement by signing the corrections. This will prevent the suspect from claiming in court that he simply waved the paper without reading.

A good legal recognition is a bargaining chip in court.

(c) Unknown forum, the memo has long been lying around on your computer.

So think now how to behave with garbage in the hotel.

P.S. I hope this article will benefit the participants of the site .. especially those who are not long ago in our difficult business.