The ability to skillfully conduct effective interviews and interrogations is critical for the success of any criminal investigator. There is no evidence more incriminating than a confession to the crime by the perpetrator. Unfortunately, case studies and empirical data indicate that, for the most part, law enforcement officers are poorly trained, relative to their ability to detect deception and conduct successful criminal interrogations. Part of this problem has been attributed to training programs conducted by instructors lacking investigative experience and presenting class information that is not based on any scientific evidence or supported by real world applications.

In response, members of the faculty of Law Enforcement Instructors’ Alliance have developed the “Forensic Interviewing & Interrogation” course to provide professional training to the law enforcement community. We feel that this course is the most innovative, informative, and practical course that has ever been made available to law enforcement officers.

“Forensic Interviewing & Interrogation" is a behavioral science approach to criminal interviewing and interrogation, based on over 58 years of combined investigative experience and related scientific research. The instructors are experienced law enforcement interviewers and instructors, who will teach proven techniques and methods that produce results in the “real world.” At the same time, participants will learn the shortcomings of ineffective and outdated techniques and theories that are currently being taught.

We urge all law enforcement agencies to evaluate the experience and professional credentials of the instructor staff, prior to deciding on any training program. It is the policy of Law Enforcement Instructors’ Alliance to provide biographies and professional experience information on all of our instructor staff to assist in the decision making process.

Part 1- Questioning Methodology & Detection of Deception (4 hours)

Topics:

• Introduction
• Obstacles to obtaining the truth
• Pre-interview planning and preparation
• Questioning rules
• “Symptoms of Deception”
• The detection process
• Methods used to avoid detection
• Body language
• Emotions effects on autonomic nervous system
• Reality Monitoring (indicators of memory vs. fiction)
• Verbal Evasion
• Symptoms  of deception in written/verbal statements
• Analysis of verbal and written responses
• Indicators of Truth (Content Based Criteria Analysis)

Part 2 – Interrogation techniques, issues, and strategies (8 hours)

Topics:

• Advanced “rapport” building strategies
• Overcoming resistance
• Developing interrogation themes
• Psychological tactics that encourage a suspect to confess
• Results of interviewing studies
• False confessions
• Expert Witnesses
• Legal guidelines and issues
• Stress in the interview room for the interrogator and suspect
• Advantages and pitfalls of videotaping
• Importance of corroborating the confession

Part 3 – Defense Cross Examination Strategies (2 hours)

Topics:

• How do we prepare?
• Cross examination topics
• Attacks directed at interrogator’s motivations
• Attacking the interrogator’s credibility
• Attacking the circumstances of the confession
• Cross examination topics
• Psychological effects of interrogation room
• Failure to corroborate the confession
• Video and audio recording issues

Part 4 – Practical Exercise (2 hours)

Topics:

• Presentation of case facts
• Crime scene analysis from interrogators viewpoint
• Psychological profile of suspect
• Symptoms of deception
• Interrogation themes and issues
• Conclusion

Comments from past attendees:

"Today's law enforcement officers deserve quality training from
experienced professionals like these"

"I urge you to compare the experience and qualifications of this
team of instructors, before selecting a training program"

"This class is designed as a Real World approach to conducting
interrogations that will lead to convictions"