Truth: the successful extraction of it from a suspect provides the central aim of the entire interrogation process. It is a challenge; a battle of psychological control between the interrogator and the suspect. If the suspect confesses or admits to participation in a crime during the interrogation, it has been successful.
Understanding the process of criminal interrogation and following an appropriate method is vital, and for interrogators can be the difference between obtaining the truth and obtaining nothing at all.
Difference Between a Criminal Interrogation and a Interview
There is a significant contrast between an interrogation and an interview, and it is important to comprehend the differences in order to effectively interrogate a suspect.
In an interview with the suspect, the objective is to gain knowledge of the crime and the suspect, and any other information that may be relevant. He will usually be interviewed in a pleasant atmosphere where he feels comfortable in his surroundings.
In an interrogation, however, the suspect is made to feel extremely uncomfortable and under strong psychological pressure from the interrogator to speak the truth. The information gathered from the prior interview is often used as a tool to aid the extraction of a confession, which is the primary aim of the interrogation.
Preparation Required for Criminal Interrogation
Thorough preparation is essential prior to an interrogation, and increases the chances of the interrogator taking psychological power over the suspect and obtaining the truth from him.
Before the interrogation process, the interrogator must have detailed information about both the suspect and the victim, including background and personal details, criminal history and social and financial situations. Comprehensive knowledge of the case facts of the crime, including time and place, information already gathered and evidence obtained, is imperative.
Approach Towards Criminal Interrogation
The correct approach to an interrogation greatly increases its success rate. It must be done as soon as the suspect is detained and all the relevant information has been collected. There must be no set time limit to finish the interrogation, as rushing it can hinder extracting the truth successfully.
The environment in which the interrogation takes place is important, as putting the interrogator in control of the physical setting gives him an advantage over the suspect. The room must be private and free from distractions, such as windows, clocks and telephones, so that close observation of the suspect’s reactions can be scrutinized.
Methods of Criminal Interrogation
The method of criminal interrogation usually depends on the classification of the criminal; whether he is an emotional or a non-emotional offender.
With an emotional offender, interrogators often use her emotions, such as anger, love or frustration, as a tool to obtain the truth. This can be achieved by being friendly to her throughout the interrogation, showing sympathy towards her and explaining to her that in the same situation anyone else would have done the same. Studying her body language to detect deception or signs of tension, such as tapping her foot or fidgeting, is another tool implemented in this method.
The methods of interrogation for a non-emotional offender are completely different and vary widely, as she will most likely be a professional criminal who has gained experience of committing crime. Because this classification of criminal is not emotionally involved in a crime, the truth can be extracted by challenging the facts. The question and answer method involves asking the suspect detailed questions about the case, forming the questions on the answers given. Another method is to allow the suspect to speak her side of the story without interruption, about five times over. The interrogator may also ask her to repeat her side backwards, starting from the end and finishing at the beginning. If she is lying she will most likely need to concoct lie upon lie, and the more lies she tells the easier it is to distinguish deceit.
Sources:
Crime & Clues: Conducting Successful Interrogations; David Vessel
ncthakur.itgo.com: Interview and Interrogation
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