- What happened? …
- What was the date, time, and duration of the incident or behavior?
- How many times did this happen, that you’re aware of?
- Where did it happen?
- How did it happen?
- Did anyone else see it happen? …
- Was there physical contact? …
- What did you do in response to the incident or behavior?
British Police Interrogations: The Peace Interview Technique
Arson Investigative Information What is the suspects alibi? Are there alibi witnesses? Can the alibi be objectively verified (surveillance video, incarceration, etc.)? Could the suspect have hired someone to start the fire? Financial Motivation Was the property over-insured or recently insured? Was there a major upcoming expense with the property? Were there unusual survivors like a pet, insurance policy or expensive artwork? Revenge Motivation Does the suspect know the victim? How was their relationship? Did the suspect verbally threaten to harm the victim in any way? Are there threatening emails to the victim? Psychological Motivation Has the suspect started small fires in the past? How many fires has the suspect personally witnessed in the last 3 years? What is the suspects explanation for evidence? Was the suspect under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fire? Behavior Provoking Questions Purpose: “What is your understanding for the purpose of the interview today?”
Behavior Symptom Analysis For over 70 years, John E. Reid and Associates has studied the verbal and nonverbal behavior of verified truthful and deceptive subjects, including conducting two studies for the National Security Agency. From these observations we have developed a database of behaviors that correlate to truth and deception. Behavior analysis refers to the systematic observation of a suspects behavioral responses during a structured interview. As discussed previously, the core of the interview consists of asking investigative and behavior provoking questions. The investigator observes and evaluates the verbal and nonverbal behavior symptoms displayed by the subject as he or she answers these questions.
Bait: (surveillance video, footprints, fingerprints) “Is there any reason why we would (see you outside location of fire on a surveillance video)? Im not saying you had anything to do with this fire, maybe you were outside for some other reason.” Interrogation Themes Financial: Blame poor economy, unfair competition Blame accomplice for suggesting the fire or pressuring the suspect into starting it Blame insurance company for raising rates, declining prior claim Minimize dollar loss Revenge: Blame victim for causing the suspect to act out of character Blame alcohol or drugs for causing poor judgment Minimize number of fires set Contrast starting a fire in hopes of killing victim, or just to send victim a message Psychological: Blame stress for causing the suspect to act out of character Blame alcohol or drugs for causing poor judgment Blame need for attention Minimize number of fires set Alternative questions Financial: Was this whole thing your idea or did someone suggest the fire to you? Was that fire set to cover up another crime like a murder or embezzlement or was it just to get the insurance money? Have you been planning this thing out for months in advance or did it just happen on the spur of the moment? Did you do this as a get rich scheme or just to break even on your investment? Revenge: Did you plan this out for weeks in advance, or did it just happen on the spur of the moment? Did you do this hoping to kill (her) or just cause a little smoke damage? Psychological: Did you do this hoping to kill people or just for excitement because you were bored? Describe an acceptable reason for starting the fire (to keep warm, to burn brush, etc.) Have you set dozens of fires all over the county or was it less than that? Were not looking at 12 or 15 fires are we?
In an effort to assist investigators in determining the type of investigative and behavior provoking questions to ask during an interview, as well as the themes and alternative questions that can be used if an interrogation is appropriate, we have developed the following information for you to have at your fingertips on the Reid App.
For each of the crimes listed below we will provide you with suggestions as to the type of investigative information to develop during the interview, how to phrase the behavior provoking questions, and if an interrogation is warranted, what themes and alternatives may be appropriate. As an example, here is the information for Arson cases:
Know if Miranda is required
The most important aspect of questioning a suspect is knowing when you must provide a Miranda warning. Failure to understand when to provide Miranda could mean everything you skillfully gather is for naught. Avoid this major pitfall. Get a working knowledge of this ruling so your first step during questioning will always be in your favor. The most important aspect of questioning a suspect is knowing when you must provide a Miranda warning. (Photo/Tony Webster via WikiCommons)
Community Q&ASearch
Community Answer Make the employee your friend, and then, after a while, ask him/her for assistance on a certain topic which you know is contained in the data of the computer in which it was stolen. 
Community Answer “Where were you on [date of the incident]?” “Can anyone verify your whereabouts on that date?” “What is your relationship to the victim?” If youre trying to figure out what happened, you need to ask Who, What, When, and Where questions. You want to find out exactly what happened, when and where it happened, and who was involved. 
Dino Lin Community Answer Because there are so many people inside a school, unless the stolen item has a high-value (i.e. money, which you can report to an administrator), your school has security cameras, or you know who stole your stuff and the stolen item has something on it to prove that it is your property, some people know that they can get away with stealing something from someone in school and that theres nothing you can do about it. Understand body language
Someone skilled in body language interpretation during interviewing and interrogation can be more accurate than a polygraph. Since this is specialized training, independent study is required. Learn how the eyes react to questions. In general, when a person looks to the right they are constructing an idea, and potentially a lie, and when they look to the left side they are recalling something that actually happened. Analyze body language as you ask and develop further questions.
FAQ
What are some good investigation questions?
- Who committed the alleged behavior?
- What happened?
- When did this occur? …
- Where did this happen?
- Did you let the accused know that you were upset by this?
- Who else may have seen or heard this as a witness?
What questions do you ask when interviewing a witness?
What questions should be ask during a harassment investigation?
- Who, what, when, where, and how: Who committed the alleged harassment? …
- How did you react? …
- How did the harassment affect you? …
- Are there any persons who have relevant information? …
- Did the person who harassed you harass anyone else?
How do I prepare for a criminal interview?
- Know the keywords. …
- Make a mental list of your skills and experience. …
- Review common interview questions. …
- Elaborate on your answers. …
- Have a positive approach. …
- Anticipate the participants. …
- Plan to avoid failure. …
- Prepare to discuss your future.
