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Advanced interviewers ’ questioning strategies for witness and suspect interviews examined

Advanced interviewers ’ questioning strategies for witness and suspect interviews examined . Andy Griffiths – Sussex Police, UK Becky Milne - University of Portsmouth. Introduction. Interviews are dialogues within country specific legal context Questioning skill universal

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Advanced interviewers ’ questioning strategies for witness and suspect interviews examined

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  1. Advanced interviewers’ questioning strategies for witness and suspect interviews examined Andy Griffiths – Sussex Police, UK Becky Milne - University of Portsmouth

  2. Introduction Interviews are dialogues within country specific legal context Questioning skill universal Research historically criticised question skill More recent research identified improvements Deeper understanding needed of productive techniques Current study explores issue via specific qualitative methodology

  3. Background – Suspect Interviews Pre-PEACE research ( Irving 1980, McConville, 1982, Stephenson & Mostin, 1992) Bluffing/Guilt bias/Oppression Post – PEACE research (pre-2000) Baldwin (1993);Mortimer 1993, 1994, Guilt bias/Ineptitude/Poor planning/Communication skills Post- PEACE research (post -2000) Clarke & Milne, 2001;Griffiths & Milne, 2006; Soukara & Bull, 2006 Improved skills/Rare oppression/Effective?

  4. Background – Witness Interviews Pre – CI - Early witness research ( Fisher et al, 1987; George, 1991) Predominant leading closed questions/no rapport/interviewer controlled Post ECI -Later research (Clarke & Milne, 2001; Rock 2001, Wright & Powell, 2004) Closed questions/editing/schemata

  5. Current study–BackgroundGriffiths (2007) Selected officers (n=50) trained on advanced suspect interview programme showed higher skill in their use of questions pre-training Same officers skill levels post-training Showed recognition of different question types and evidence of deliberate structure

  6. Current study - Methodology Independent groups design ( Suspect interviewers/ Witness interviewers) ‘Think aloud’ procedure (Capiocco & Petty 1981; Wright & Powell, 2006) Simulated interviews as part of course(s) In depth face to face interviews Identification of main themes

  7. Results – Theme 1 Deliberate question strategies

  8. Deliberate question strategy All interviewers positive and conscious decisions over question style Varied and flexible use of appropriate questions Suspect interviewers open style going into probing Focusing on subjects identified in first account Witness interviewers similar approach

  9. ‘‘It was the start of the physical contact between the two and it was important to get fine grain detail of the consensual actions, bearing in mind I knew the victim had got injuries…the suspect had done a lot of talking in the first account and the probing questions allowed me to get the detail and keep him in check’. Suspect interviewer

  10. ‘I started off with a TED question, ‘describe’ which I thought was appropriate. It got her thinking first and I think inspired her to give me information’. Witness interviewer

  11. Results – Theme 2 Inappropriate control applied to compliant witnesses

  12. Inappropriate levels of control All suspect interviewers directed interviewees to starting point – based on evidence provided All suspect interviewers decided choice of subjects and chronology thereafter Witness interviewers varied in approach Some were witness led Some directed interviewee to subject matter

  13. “ the taxi driver (a witness) described the suspect leading the complainant into the alleyway and in his account (the suspect) it was the other way around which I could possibly make into a challenge”. Suspect interviewer

  14. ‘It was my agenda and I got what I was looking for and she knew what I wanted’. Witness interviewer

  15. ’I chose the feet and legs.. her description started with these bits and I knew they were important to identify the offender ‘ Witness interviewer

  16. Results – Theme 3 Complexity of the interview task

  17. Complexity of interview task All interviewers commented on difficulty of simultaneous tasks Several identified deterioration of listening as interviews progressed Overloaded memory Errors made on detail

  18. ‘I was juggling the tasks of listening, working out my next question and contemplating my ‘too short’ first account’. Suspect interviewer

  19. ‘My mouth leapt ahead but unfortunately left my brain behind, I wanted the answer but I used an inappropriate question to get it, because I didn’t think before asking the question’. Witness interviewer

  20. Conclusions Deliberate information seeking question strategies corroborate research showing improvement in questioning skill /ethics However, interviewers favoured one style of open into probing style – not correct for ECI witnesses – mirrors other research Themes 1 and 2 highlight complexity of interviewing and .. Importance of CONTROL Application of correct level of control is as important as any other interview skill

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