Investigative Interviewing Techniques
Investigative Interviewing Techniques
Investigative Interviewing Techniques
Investigative interviewing is a learned skill.
A. Interviewing is asking questions, the purpose of which may be known only to the person conducting the interview.
Q. Why interview?
A. To find somebody; to locate assets; to check into the background of an individual or a company.
Q. Who might I interview?
A. Husbands and wives, present and past; relatives, friends, neighbors; employers, partners, co-workers and pals; clerks and record keepers; bartenders and busybodies. Street people. And don't forget the mailman.
Q. How will I conduct interviews?
A. In person, by phone, mail, fax, or email.Interviewer's Qualifications
Decorum, politeness, attentiveness, and responsiveness: These are qualities to exhibit. Friendliness, pleasantness, gregariousness, and neighborliness: These attributes will ensure the success of your inquiries. A good sense of humor works best to turn the trick.Interviewing Techniques
Surly, demanding, overbearing, pushy individuals can expect treatment in kind from subject's friends, neighbors, co-workers, employers, and landlords - and especially from those who are responsible for keeping and maintaining records. Put to work what is known in the investigating business as "the gentle art of interviewing." Just by the tone of voice you can tell what mode you should shift into to talk with a person; to get the information you need.Prepare!
Whether you will interview in person or use the phone, fax, whatever: be prepared! Learn about your subject's personality, likes, dislikes, occupation, schooling, relationships, leisure activities, clubs, organizations, and interests.Knowledge is King
Garner and organize all data - important facts as well as seemingly mundane, trivial details.
During an interview, you may feel yourself in somewhat of a defensive posture, attempting to justify the questions you ask. The more information you possess, the better equipped you will be to handle pointed rebuffs and piercing queries.
Apply a little psychology. Consider the sensitivities, attitude, and mind-set of each individual you interview.Interviewing by Phone
Interviewing by phone offers some advantages over in-person interviewing, because the person you are interviewing can't see your nervousness and you can take on whatever character you think will best achieve your objectives.Interviewing in Person
The person you are interviewing will find it harder to refuse you in person. Turn on the charm. Make eye contact. Take your time stating your case. Communicate your winning personality.Personal Appearance
Be aware of your personal appearance and grooming. Dress for the role you intend to play. If you want people to think you are a business person, consider every detail: dress, demeanor, manner of speech. Be a business personSurvey the Territory
Before you go dashing off to interview people, take time to get the lay of the land. If the people you intend to question work in an office building, dress as a business person; walk around, act as though you belong, sense the environment, learn the layout of the offices: Who's whereNeighbors
If those you will interview are your subject's neighbors, drive or walk through the neighborhood to get a feel for the area. Note the types of dwellings, businesses, industry (or lack if it); the level of prosperity.
Approach neighbors in a casual and friendly manner. Keep your note pad and recorder out of sight until you've had a chance to get acquainted and establish some common ground. Don't start right off with a quarry, instead, make a comment about the weather. You might casually mention the problems you are encountering in attempting to organize a Neighborhood Crime Watch group. You'll be more readily accepted if you live in the neighborhood or will soon be moving there. Be prepared with solid data: which house, address. Think alibi.Interviewing Tips
One interviewing technique you might use is to present the wrong information, then allow yourself to be corrected. The person doing the correcting will invariably give you the information you need; you don't even have to ask for it. Get answers to your questions by playing ignorant, a tactic many people confuse with stupidity.
Try the "erroneous conclusion." Say you want to know someone's middle name. Call her, "Mary Jane." She will immediately correct you: "No, my middle name is Joan."
"Are you still working for IBM?" The person will respond, "No, I'm working for Macintosh."Acting
If you decide a pretext may be called for to obtain information that might otherwise not be forthcoming, think of what you'll be doing as "acting." An actor assumes, or "takes on" a role. You'll need a little acting experience. You'll be portraying a character.As interviewer/actor, you'll need to
o Develop and refine your script.
o Learn your lines.
o Get into character
o Play the partSome things you must not do:
o Do not present yourself as an officer of the law or the courts - or a "government official." You can, however, represent yourself as a "concerned citizen." Most folks respond much more favorably to a concerned citizen than to a government official.
o Do not infringe upon anyone's privacy. Laws vary state-to-state in these matters. Make sure you do not break the law in your quest for information.
o Do not trespass on private property.
o Do not represent yourself as a reporter on official assignment from a particular news service, magazine, newspaper, radio or TV station - unless that's what you are. You can, however, say you are a writer investigating a certain situation. Anyone can be a freelance writer or freelance reporter.
o Do not represent yourself as an official of a known concern or organization. People will almost always respond with truthful, useful answers if you let them know who you are, and tell them the reason why you need the information you seek.Pretext
You can use a pretext, as long as it is done ethically and above the law. Don't say you represent a known company if you don't - you could get into trouble. Why take a chance?Pretext Tools
Press ID Card. These official and official-looking cards are among the best "door-openers" used by investigators and interviewers around the world. The most effective cards are the "real" ones, those issued by the big news organizations to the working press. Press credentials are often carried by freelance writers too: Book authors, scriptwriters, researchers, and others who would not normally be considered members of the "working press."Shock, Humor & Confusion
Accomplished actors and entertainers make use of shock, humor, and confusion to evoke a response from their audiences. The same techniques will often work in an interview situation. The effectiveness of these techniques depends largely on the ability of the actor to focus on objectives and take advantage of openings in human defenses to extract seeming innocuous information.Opinion Poll
You can conduct a poll to determine just about anything you can think of. The object is to introduce those questions to which you really need answers - intermingled with the harmless questions. Don't ask simple "yes" or "no" questions: Ask questions that will prompt an explanation.Old School Mate
You might play the role of an old military service buddy, a long-lost high school pal, or university roommate. Your outfit or class is planning a reunion and you are attempting to locate friends, classmates, etc. Get all the facts before attempting this ruse: know years in service, where you were stationed, and the physical location of the school . . .Other Roles
o A "mutual friend" (be prepared with a name), mentioned your subject's name in passing. Said the two of you have a lot in common and ought to get together to discuss "mutually beneficial opportunities."
o You heard subject inherited money or property. You're attempting to locate the lucky person to pass on good news.
o You are looking for the individual who witnessed an accident.
o You are a headhunter for a certain corporation or group that is looking for a person whose skills and talents just happen to match those of the subject's.
o Take a tour of a plant or facility to gain certain intelligence. Interview key employees or management for a trade publication.Straightforward Approach
Often a straightforward approach will prove more effective than a pretext or acting, especially if you are an employer who is hiring a new employee for an important position and the person you seek information about is the prime candidate for the job.Be Up Front
Say, "I understand you know John Doe well. John worked for you for 10 years. He's spoken very highly of you and I'd just like to come by and talk to you about him." Be open. People respond to openness.
Another situation to which people generally respond favorably is that of landlord - or a homeowner seeking to find out if the subject will make a good renter or a good roommate. In most cases, if you are sincere about the reason for your inquiry, you will get the information you seek - mainly because people love to express their opinions and relate their observations.
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