Interview & Interrogations

Question 1

Formal questioning of a person with info of interest to the investigator.

Answer 1

Interview

Question 2

Formal questioning of a person suspected of having committed an offense.

Answer 2

Interrogation

Question 3

A careful and systematic search for evidence.

Answer 3

Investigation

Question 4

Feeling of responsibility or remorse for some real or imagined offense or crime.

Answer 4

Guilt

Question 5

Reason for Interviewing:

Answer 5

• Gain info (who, what, when, where, why, & how)*
• Establish witnesses
• ID offender
• Develop background info
• Establish facts
• Secure additional evidence
• Discover details of other offenses or crimes
• Eliminate suspects

Question 6

Interview Considerations:

Answer 6

• Attitudes & Attributes
• Perception & memory
• Juveniles
• Reluctance to talk

Question 7

Attitudes & Attributes

Answer 7

• Be sincere, neutral, and open-minded.
• Never lose temper.
• Avoid antagonizing

Question 8

Perception & memory

Answer 8

• People remember and perceive events differently. -Avoid suggestive questions.
• be patient

Question 9

Juveniles

Answer 9

• Attempt to contact parents/guardian.

- If no parent/guardian, have second patrolman present as witness.

Question 10

Reluctance to talk

Answer 10

• Be persistent.

Possible reasons are fear of self-involvement, inconvenience, resentment toward police, etc.

Question 11

Planning the Interview:

Answer 11

• Gather background info (age, rank, nationality, education, habits, associates, prior convictions, etc.)
• Formulate set of questions
• Be prepared for only one chance to gain truth.

Question 12

Three principal questioning techniques:

Answer 12

(1) Free narrative
(2) Direct examination
(3) Cross examination

Question 13

Interviewer asks interviewee to relate in their own words what they know about the situation.

Answer 13

Free narrative

Question 14

Specific questions designed to elicit or link specific elements of event or situation.

Answer 14

Direct examination

Question 15

Probing type of questions used to clear up previous statements. Used to fill in blank spots in a story or when interviewee is evading or hiding details.

Answer 15

Cross examination

Question 16

Type of approach that is employed when the suspects guilt is uncertain or doubtful.

Answer 16

Indirect

Question 17

Type of approach that is used to interrogate a suspect whose guilt is definite or at least reasonably certain.

Answer 17

Direct

Question 18

Steps to Conducting the Interview

Answer 18

(1) Intro (your rank, name, position)
(2) Inform person of nature of interview
(3) Rights advisement
(4) Notes
(5) Closing/document

Question 19

Documenting the Interview

Answer 19

• Finish verbal interview
• Ask for written statement
• Guide through statement but DON’T tell what to write
• Review for accuracy
• All statements and notes are kept for trial.

Question 20

OPNAV 5580/2

Answer 20

DoN Voluntary Statement

Question 21

Block 1 of OPNAV 5580/2

Answer 21

Place

Question 22

Block 2 of OPNAV 5580/2

Answer 22

Date

Question 23

Oath or Affirmation

Answer 23

Upon completion, oath or affirmation will be administered in accordance with SOP. 
"Affirmed before me.
Signature of admin official.
Date and time of oath.
UCMJ Article 136b4"
(^in bottom left corner)