Interview Techniques
Interview Techniques
Information is the business of the Private Investigator, and information is most often in the hands of people. For the PI, learning how to get the information you need from people is one of the most important parts of your business. Therefore, learning the techniques of interviewing and interrogation is a major part of being successful.
A Private Investigator may be called upon to perform interviews and take witness statements. Some good sources for information include former spouses, relatives, neighbours, caregivers, service providers, business competitors, employees, employers, business associates, landlords, etc. The key to a successful interview is to know the purpose for the interview. Obtaining interviews as early as possible will prevent loss of information, and knowing how to interview a subject will ensure you will get the answers you are looking for.
When conducting an interview, Private Investigators should keep the following common practices in mind:
- Be prepared. Review the information you have already obtained and determine what kind of information you want to gather. Prepare questions; bring a notebook, pens, an audio recorder, adequate audio tapes and new batteries to record the entire interview. It is important to remember never to record a conversation without the knowledge and consent of one of the parties involved in the communication. It is a criminal offence to monitor or record the conversation of two people, if you are not a party to the conversation, when consent has not been provided.
- When appropriate, and a witness is expected to be cooperative, an appointment should be made, but under some circumstances, a “cold call” may be advisable. Be professional and courteous. State your business truthfully without revealing any confidential information.
- When you begin the interview, greet your subject cordially. Identify yourself and show your Private Investigator license. Your approach may be formal or informal, depending on the person you are interviewing.
- Once the individual has started to talk, do not interrupt them. Take notes, but don’t be too obvious. Control your emotions, and never react.
- Take your time ending the interview. When it is apparent that the interview is over, be courteous and close the conversation. An expression of courtesy creates a favorable impression and ensures future cooperation.
- Immediately after an interview, always write your investigative report. In this report, you should include all pertinent information.
Interviews and interrogations are two very different things. Suspects are interrogated; witnesses are interviewed.
