Interviews Flashcards
What are the 3 barriers to communication?
Physical (ie inappropriate place/time, noise)
Psychological (ie stereotyping, closed mindedness, rank/status
‘Horns’ effect - unable to do anything right even if behave week
‘Halo’ effect - unable to do anything wrong even if behave badly
Semantic (ie something that prevents words being understood - language barriers, jargon, colloquialisms, complex terms)
Mnemonic giving you the framework /guidance for investigative interviews?
PEACE
Planning and preparation Engage and explain Account clarification and challenge Closure Evaluation
What are the 3 aspects to words?
- Content
- Meaning (same words different meaning)
- Feeling (the way you say it)
What is TED PIE?
Tell me
Explain to me
Describe to me
Precisely
In detail
Exactly
Mnemonic for using open questions?
TED PIE
Why are the 3 stages of an encounter?
Entry stage (obtain as much info as possible pre interview / build rapport)
Process stage (balance between listening and recording to ensure you deal with emotions as well and info/be professional)
Exit stage (explain what happens next, give advice and offer further support)
7 principles of interviewing
DR AFIQI
1) - AIM (to obtain an accurate reliable account about matters under investigation /potentially open up furthering a of enquiry/ a basis for asking questions of suspect at a later date)
2) FAIRNESS (be fair when interviewing victims/witnesses/suspects - treat with consideration at all times)
3) INVESTIGATIVE MINDSET (test what is being said against what you already know/ be aware if false allegations and false confessions/ ensure all actions are PLAN / helps to develop grateful - what do no next.
4) QUESTIONING (ask wide ranging questions to obtain info to assist investigation)
5) IMPACT RECOGNITION (recognise the impact and early admission has on the CJS / still ask further questions to test the admission)
6) DUTY OF TRUTH (don’t have to accept 1st answer - continued questioning is not oppressive or unfair just because it is persistent)
7) RIGHT TO SILENCE (interviewee has right to remain silent but you still have a duty to continue to ask questions)
What did lord denning say in 1969?
That evidence should not be confined to best evidence, that we need to account for ALL evidence and let the court decide how to use the evidence provided
4 Core skills for investigative interviewing
Planning and preparation
Establishing a rapor
Listening skills
Questioning skills
Definition of a suspect?
‘Someone who the police would have to caution (under code c pace) if they want to interview them’
must have reasonable objective grounds for suspicion based on known facts or information relevant to the likelihood that the offence has been committed and that the person to be questioned committed it
Definition of an interview?
‘The questioning of a person regarding their involvement or suspected involvement in a criminal offence, or offences which under paragraph 10.1 must be carried out under caution. Whenever a person is interviewed they must be told of the nature of the offence/further offences’
What is a significant statement and silence?
‘A significant statement and silence is one which appears capable of being used in evidence against the suspect, in particular a direct admission or a failure / refusal to answer a question, or answer it satisfactorily, which might give rise to an inference under the CJPO Act 1994.’
Code C 114a - PACE
When can a significant statement arise?
Anytime before or during an interview
When can a significant silence occur.?
After being cautioned
What is a special warning?
S36 & S37 CJPO act 1994
A special warning can be issued when a suspect refuses or fails to account for:
S36- incriminating objects, marks or substances
S37- their presence in a certain place
What must you tell the suspect when issuing a special warning?
- The offence you are investigating
- the facts you are asking them the account for
- that the facts lead you to believe that the suspect was involved in / commissioned the offence
- you must warn them that harcourt may draw inference from silence /refusal to account for the fact
- that a record is being made of he interview which will be given in evidence should the case go to court for trial
Definition of a witness?
‘One who sees, knows or vouches for something’
Definition of a victim?
‘A person harmed by a crime, tort, or other wrong’
Victims are also potential witnesses
What are the 5wh used in questioning?
Who What Where When Why How
These are More limiting than open questions as they restrict the response.
2 main styles of interviewing?
Free recall (allows you to obtain an uninterrupted account)
Conversation management (allows you to gain greater control over the interview)
What stage of the interview process should you hold back any evidence until?
The clarification and challenge stage.
Who is classed as a vulnerable witness?
Someone 17 or under
Any person whose evidence quality is likely to be diminished due to mental disorder or a significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
A physical disability and or a physical disorder (depending on nature of disability)
What are the points to consider in the ‘planning/prep’ stage of PEACE?
Who need to interview and when / what order (timing)
Your objectives…
-What info need to obtain
-What is already known about interviewee and..
-What needs to be established (ie age, educational background, physical and mental health, prev police contact, cultural background etc)
Legal requirements (code D pace)
Points to prove and defences
Practical arrangements (location, time, equipment needed)
What to brief to solicitor
What statements have I got already that I need to review and test
Things to cover in your interview plan?
- Points to prove & possible defences
- All the questions you wish to ask at every stage of the crime / what has happened (when go out, lock door? Who you saw?, anything unusual, what happened when got home, when call police, where suspect went, ADVOKATE)
Explain interview procedure…
Reason for interview The importance of their contribution Introduction of everyone present How and by whom notes will be taken Introduction of any exhibits Indicate how long it will take That they need to give a full account and not miss anything out As much detail as possible
How to get a description of someone?
Systematically - description from the head down
What wearing
Physical features
Use ADVOKATE
What do to close an interview?
1) Check appropriate to close - all questions covered? / obtained as much info as possible / covered all aims of interview?
2) summarise what has been covers - give opp for them to clarify / alter /add anything
3) deal with any questions they may have
4) explain what happens next / how to contact you / any info on victim support / court etc
Purpose of interview?
To establish the truth