Interview and Interrogation Techniques
Training Courses
Practical Kinesic Interview and Interrogation® Series
Essential Interview and Interrogation Techniques
for Investigators & 1st Responders
-3 Day Level 1 Course
Course Description
Unlock the power of effective interview and interrogation techniques with our cutting-edge course. Every investigation hinges on the quality of information gathered from victims, witnesses, and persons of interest. Mastering these skills is crucial for any investigator aiming to excel. Our comprehensive program focuses on three key objectives: 1) extracting all available information, 2) maintaining the integrity of the subject’s knowledge base, and 3) distinguishing between truthful and deceptive statements.
Many investigators lack the up-to-date training needed to perform consistently at a high level during interviews and interrogations. Without a strategic approach, even the best-laid cases can be jeopardized. Our course is designed to “re-tool” and “upgrade” your techniques to meet current forensic standards, ensuring you stay ahead in your field.
The methods taught in this course have been proven to deliver more efficient and effective results, providing the comprehensive information necessary for clearing and prosecuting cases successfully. Enhance your investigative skills and achieve greater success with our expert training in interview and interrogation techniques.
Who Should Attend:
This course is appropriate for experienced detectives and investigators who want to upgrade their interview and interrogation skills. It is also appropriate for new detectives and new criminal investigations who to start with a solid foundation for their interview and interrogation techniques.
Participants will learn:
• The critical differences between accusatory and information-focused interviews.
• Techniques for identifying and managing subjects’ negative cognitive and emotional changes that can disrupt the interview.
• Strategies to maximize information gathering from victims and witnesses.
• Methods to prevent subject “contamination.”
• How to pinpoint key topics that need follow-up.
• The truth behind common “deception cue” myths that can mislead interviewers.
• Tools to differentiate between truthful and deceptive statements.
• How to identify and avoid the detrimental effects of “confirmation bias.”
• The nuances between “persuasion” and “manipulation.”
Essential Interview and Interrogation Techniques
Investigators & 1st Responders
-5 Day Level 1 & 2 Course
Course Description
Unlock the full potential of your investigations by mastering the art and science of interviewing and interrogation. No investigation can advance without accurate, complete information—information you can only obtain from victims, witnesses, sources, and persons of interest. This course equips you with critical, up-to-date techniques designed to
1) Capture all relevant information,
2) Avoid contaminating the subject’s memory or knowledge, and
3) Accurately distinguish between truth and deception.
Unfortunately, most investigators have not had access to advanced training that aligns with today’s forensic standards, leaving critical gaps in interview and interrogation skills. Without a structured approach, even experienced investigators risk undermining their own cases.
In this course, you’ll “re-tool” your investigative approach, gaining proven strategies that enhance the quality and reliability of the information you gather. These techniques are meticulously developed to increase the success rate of case resolution and prosecution.
Top-performing interviewers understand three core principles: conducting narrative-driven interviews, recognizing and adapting to shifts in a subject’s emotional state, and personalizing their approach to fit each individual’s unique background and personality. Level 2 of this course is dedicated to these advanced skills, ensuring you leave equipped to handle any interview scenario with confidence and precision.
Who Should Attend:
This course is ideal for seasoned investigators and first responders seeking to elevate their interview and interrogation skills to the next level. It’s also an invaluable starting point for newcomers, providing a solid foundation to build the confidence and expertise needed to become highly effective interviewers and investigators.
Participants will learn:
- The critical advantages of information-focused interviews over the outdated, problematic accusatory approach.
- Techniques to maximize valuable information from victims and witnesses for stronger case-building.
- Proven methods to prevent contamination of a subject’s knowledge base.
- The truth behind “deception cues,” dispelling myths that can lead to costly misjudgments.
- How to isolate critical topics for in-depth follow-up, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
- Strategies to identify and navigate cognitive and emotional shifts in subjects that can derail an interview.
- A deep understanding of the “Cycle of Behavior” and its impact on investigations and interrogations.
- Insights into the four primary personality types and how to adapt interview techniques to each.
- Clear boundaries between “persuasion” and “manipulation” to maintain ethical, effective interviewing.
- How to craft tailored persuasive arguments that resonate with each unique individual subject.
Interview and Interrogation for
New Detectives, Criminal Investigators & 1st Responders
-3 Day Course
Course Description
Interviewing victims, witnesses, sources, and potential suspects is a cornerstone of the investigative process. The quality of information gathered and the effectiveness of interview and interrogation techniques can significantly impact the outcome of a case. In today’s legal landscape, outdated and faulty methods are under increasing scrutiny.
This course provides an essential, updated foundation in productive and ethical interview and interrogation techniques. Relying on “trial and error” for new detectives, criminal investigators, and first responders is no longer acceptable. The stakes are high, with legal liability and litigation costs reaching unsustainable levels. Early training in the latest science of interview and interrogation techniques is not just beneficial; it is crucial for ensuring justice and maintaining professional standards.
Who Should Attend
- New & Seasoned Detectives
- New & Seasoned Criminal Investigators
- 1st Responders
- Interdiction Officers
- Accident Investigators
- Health & Safety Investigators
- Regulatory Investigators.
- Corporate Loss Prevention
- Risk Managers
- Fire / Arson Investigators
- Correctional Officers
- Probation / Parole
- School Resource Officers
- Special Investigations
- Claims Investigators
Participants will get to work on:
- Understanding the “Interviewer’s Impact Principle”.
- Using the “4 Elements of a Successful Interview” to gain 60%+ information.
- How to avoid the 3 fatal pitfalls that devastate an interview.
- The “Strategic Use of Evidence” Tactic.
- Decoding a subject’s “Purpose of Action”
- Recordation of Interviews and Interrogations: The Growing Trend
- Recognize the verbal and non-verbals cues of “reaction” and “response” behaviors.
- How to recognize the cues of a cooperative subject.
- Develop an ethical persuasive dialogue to gain subject compliance and cooperation.
Level 1 - Practical Kinesic Interview and Interrogation®
Available Formats: In-Person & Virtual
The Interview Techniques Course Focused on Maximizing Information Recovery.
3 – Day Course
Recommended For:
Experienced and Fairly New Detectives & Criminal Investigators Who Want to Update Their Skill Set
Participants will learn:
- 3 fundamental keys you must use to conduct a successful interview.
- 3 avoidable tactics that will contaminate any statement.
- Improve your chances of avoiding deception.
- 8 fundamentals to help you dramatically improve every single interview.
- Start getting 60% more information from all your interviews.
- You’ll master the art of effective narrative-based interviews.
Level 1 & 2: Practical Kinesic Interview and Interrogation®
Available Formats: In-Person & Virtual
This ultimate Science of Interview and Interrogation Techniques Course
5 Day Course
Recommended for:
Experienced Detectives & Criminal Investigators wanting advanced training.
Participants will learn:
- 3 tactics you absolutely must avoid that can cause false confessions and contaminated statements.
- 3 essential keys you need to conduct a successful interview.
- 3 primary reasons why other investigators fail to accurately spot deception and how you can avoid them.
- 8 fundamentals to help you dramatically improve every single interview.
- Learn how you can recover 60% more information from victims, witnesses & subjects.
- You’ll master the art of an effective narrative-based interview.
- Learn to use the 4 powerful elements of a non-coercive persuasive conversation.
- Create a plan of action for effective interviews and interrogations based on each personality you will meet in an interview room.
Level 3 & 4 - Practical Kinesic Interview and Interrogation®
Advance Practical Course
Prior Attendance in Level 1 & 2 is Mandatory
5 Day Advanced Interview and Interrogation Techniques
This is an Advanced Practical Course
Recommended For:
Previous Attendance in Level 1 & 2 is Mandatory. No Exceptions.
Participants will learn & experience:
Tactical Interrogation of Excluded Personalities
- This section will assist the interrogator in recognizing some of the more prominent behavioral cues of subjects that may be suffering from psychoses, affective disorders, suicidal thoughts, or organic brain disease and effective tactics to use when dealing with these subjects in the interview room.
- You’ll view extensive video examples from the video archives developed by the instructor.
Tactical Interrogation of Tangent Personalities
- In this section of instruction everyone is going to learn about various personality disorders, impulse control disorders, emotional disorders.
- You’ll learn how to recognize their behaviors in the interview room.
- You’ll learn the special tactics to use in order to effectively deal with these subjects in your interview room.
- You’ll also participate in extensive hands-on exercises.
- We’ll visit an area correctional facility for extended interview sessions.
You’ll Get Maximum Feedback About Your Progress
- All your interview sessions will be video-taped.
- The following day you and your team will review and critique the previous day’s practical exercises
… and much, much more
On-Scene Interview and Interrogation for
Patrol Officers & 1st Responders
2 – Day Course
Recommended for:
Patrol Officers
1st Responders
Fire Service
Accident Scene Investigators
…and similar first on scene personnel
Course Description
From traffic stops to dispatched calls, from low priority to high, the “first contact” activities of patrol officers and first responders can have a direct impact on whether or not a case is brought to efficient and successful closure. One of the most important elements of “first contact” activity is effective “information focused” interviews of victims, witnesses, and persons of interest. Information that has been withheld, details that have been fabricated, or memory that has been contaminated can quickly and irrevocably sabotage any case.
Effective “first contact” interviews can produce the “investigative leverage” patrol officers and first responders need to establish and maintain the line of communication with all involved parties. This “leverage” produces leads that need to be pursued, accurately identify the true role and the extent of involvement of each party involved, and significantly improve the efficient deployment of manpower and resources needed on scene.
The solution to conducting effective on-scene interviews are methods that are not complex and are easy to replicate. The techniques should reliably recover complete and accurate information from subjects being interviewed. Finally, the techniques used should encourage victim and witness cooperation while at the same time improve the patrol officer or first responders ability to spot attempts at possible deception by any of the involved parties.
Attendees will explore:
- The four elements of an effective information-focused interview.
- How to recover at least 60% more information during their interviews.
- Understand how human memory works.
- How to avoid memory contamination and the “misinformation effect.”
- How to spot fabricated statements by a subject.
- Understand and recognize the two forms of deception.
- Recognize and avoid mental and emotional manipulation by interview subjects.
- Recognize and manage mental and emotional changes in an interview subject that inhibits the information exchange.
- Learn to use effective “recall enchancing” interviewing methods.
- How to use a simple an ethical “persuasion formula” for overcoming resistance by an interview subject.
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