ethical interviews

Question 1

ethical standards for interviewing related to crime

Answer 1

• every human being has worth and is to be treated with dignity
• interview must be carried out in a non-judgemental way
• the truth must be the focus and not the confession
• interviewers should not bring in false information or use deception to get a confession

Question 2

Planning and Preparation (PEACE)

Answer 2

• the planning phase is about the importance of planning an interview before carrying it out e.g. noting aims, objectives, required outcomes
• topics of interest are noted and questions designed
• place and time of interview are also planned as well as how it will be recorded

Question 3

Engage and Explain (PEACE)

Answer 3

• there is a need to build at rapport with a suspect, which means explaining how the interview will take place to answer questions to allay concerns
• witnesses are told what to expect

Question 4

Account (PEACE)

Answer 4

• the account is the invitation to a suspect to provide an account of their behaviour depending on what is being investigated
• the way the account will be asked for and how it would be elicited from a witness is decided upon
• the ethical interview includes ideas about different ways of doing this

Question 5

Closure (PEACE)

Answer 5

• closure is about bringing the interview to a good conclusion and maintaining rapport
• this aims to avoid anger or anxiety as the interview ends