The Gentle Art of Interviewing and Interrogation: A Professional Manual and Guide

This Manual Is Designed To Teach Criminal Interrogators, Professional Investigators, And Insurance Examiners The Skills They Need To Secure Airtight Statements And Confessions From Uncooperative Witnesses And Suspects. The Authors Reveal Dozens Of Detailed Methods Which They Have Used To Obtain Precise And Relevant Information During Questioning Sessions -- The Kind Of Information That Has Already Led To The Recovery Of Nearly $14,000,000 Worth Of Stolen Property. The Way In Which A Question Is Asked Is The Primary Tool In Any Interview And This Guide Furnishes The Skill-building Techniques That Virtually Guarantee Precise And Relevant Information Flow From Subjects. Concentrating On A Systematic Approach To Effective Interrogation, This Manual Explores Such Vital Areas As: How To Recognize When A Suspect Is Ready To Confess; How To Handle A Witness Who Deliberately Withholds Information; How To Tell When A Subject Fears Self-incrimination; How To Obtain Statements That Hold Up Under The Most Severe Legal Scrutiny; How To Break Through A Subject's Defense Barriers And Expose Concealed Facts; How To Interrogate A Suspect Influenced By Alcohol, Drugs Or Fatigue; And How To Make Sure The Individual's Legal Rights Are Not Infringed Upon. In Addition, There Is An Entire Chapter Dedicated To The Professional Code Of Ethics And Standards For Interviews And Interrogators. Rules Of Evidence And The Factors Of Admissibility, Relevancy And Competency Are Explored In Depth. A Word From The Authors -- 1. Interviewing And Interrogation -- 2. The Mechanics Of Questioning -- 3. Preparatory Work -- 4. Pre-interview -- 5. Physical Influence Factors -- 6. Recognition And Use Of Psychological Factors -- 7. How To Conduct Inquiries And Interviews -- 8. How To Interrogate -- 9. Emotional Inroads -- 10. Breakthrough -- 11. Evidence -- 12. Basic Statements -- 13. Proof Of Loss -- 14. Ethics And Standards -- Appendices -- Index. Robert F. Royal, Steven R. Schutt. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.