Definition
An interrogation is analogous to peeling back an onion layer by layer on people, places, and things. Seasoned investigators systematically probe and draw out information from willing and unwilling individuals by asking precise, trenchant questions to test information validity. Unlike interviews, interrogations typically involve individuals directly or indirectly connected to the incident under review.
Special Virtues of Good Interrogators
Good interrogators remain composed, never interrupt the flow of conversation, listen twice as much as they talk, explore unfamiliar territory, and highlight inconsistencies.
Law Enforcement vs. Private Security Interrogation
Law enforcement interrogators must follow strict legislative requirements, including Mirandizing interviewees. Private security interrogators have fewer legislative restraints and are not required to Mirandize suspects, allowing them greater flexibility in legally extracting information.
Police benefit from extensive resources — criminal reports, subpoena power, crime labs, and video footage — while private investigators don't have these advantages. The fundamental distinction is that private security interrogators don't have to advise individuals of their constitutional rights, unless the interrogation is performed on behalf of law enforcement.
Objectives of an Interrogation
The primary objective is to gather and test information validity. Interrogators must:
1. Learn facts and develop evidence. 2. Extract truthful information from reluctant, evasive, or hostile witnesses. 3. Decipher plans or conspiracies. 4. Identify suspects, accomplices, or conspirators. 5. Obtain corroborating testimony and admissions. 6. Recover stolen materials from criminal enterprises. 7. Establish guilt or innocence. 8. Obtain written or audio statements, or confessions. 9. Ascertain related evidence — hideouts, weapons, gang affiliations. 10. Locate and catalog case-related evidence.
Selecting Interrogators
Selecting the right interrogator begins with education, personality, and temperament. Effective interrogators are inquisitive, possess excellent moral compasses, embrace truthfulness, retain excellent interpersonal skills, and thrive in criminological environments.
All interrogators should pay attention to detail, conduct independent research, examine physical evidence, decipher human-motive responses, solve problems, and listen intently.
Pre-Interrogation Checklist
Before conducting an interrogation, prepare a needs-assessment checklist:
- Frame an appropriate game plan. - Select the right interrogation site. - Arrange room furniture, lighting, water glasses, and ashtrays. - Allow ample time for the interrogation. - Devise an appropriate questioning strategy. - Outfit the room for audio-visual capability. - Ensure note-taking doesn't interrupt the conversation.
Arranging the Interrogation Room
The physical layout should maximize a suspect's discomfort and sense of powerlessness. The room should feature video/audio capability with recording signage, be small and soundproof with limited seating and bare walls. The interviewee shouldn't be seated near light fixtures or thermostats.
How an Interrogation Is Performed
Interrogations take place in formal interview rooms and are typically tape-recorded — video preferred over audio-only. Seating should be comfortable and positioned for face-to-face confrontation. The interrogator shouldn't stand over the interviewee, to avoid intimidation.
Interviewees should be offered cold beverages or food and advised of restroom locations. Before beginning, an interrogation schematic detailing the who, what, when, and where of the incident should be prepared.
Utilizing Interpreters
Having a certified, non-partial bilingual interrogator available is advisable. If an interpreter is required, all communication should flow between the interrogator and the interpreter — not directly between the interviewee and interpreter.
Social Media Harvesting
Social media harvesting collects data unobtrusively and automatically from platforms like Facebook using programming tools to extract relevant messages for research. Methods range from simple copy-and-paste to complex programming strategies. Many social-media research companies serve investigators, with prices ranging from $5 to $500.
Forensic Interrogation
Private investigative firms conduct forensic interrogations for major corporations investigating financial losses. These specialized investigations require audit-related expertise. The field evolved significantly following the savings-and-loan crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, and professional organizations like ACFE began cross-training security and accounting professionals. Today, forensic accounting professionals number in the tens of thousands.
Conclusion — The Five-Phase Framework
Conducting an interrogation is a five-phase undertaking:
1. Selecting the right interrogator. 2. Selecting the right interrogation facility. 3. Selecting the right interrogative game plan. 4. Selecting the right question/note-taking strategy. 5. Selecting the right interpreter arrangement.
This information provides a roadmap for security administrators formulating interrogation policy. Programmatic success is never permanent — it should be continuously refined with skilled practitioners.