Criminal Interview Analysis

Interviewing is tricky, but a very important process in gathering information on a crime. Interviews and statements are used and conducted for gathering information, solving problems, and trying to refresh any memory to put together an event. Interviews are used on anyone who may have any information about a crime, that can include witnesses, victims and suspects. In this case, an interview was conducted with a victim to a crime. After I reviewed the interview between the investigator and an elderly lady, I was able to identify topics in which the interviewer struggled and succeeded in. In this essay, the structure, interview setting, non-verbal and verbal qualities of the interview were evaluated and critiqued.

Structure

To create a successful interview, the interviewer should consider the seven-step process to an

Starting with his volume and tone, throughout all the segments he remained calm, patient with his questions and calibrated his volume of voice with hers. He constantly was concerned for her wellbeing by asking if she needed breaks, ensures her not to rush, if she was ok and empathizing that it “shakes you up”. Paraphrasing was used in the third segment when she was going into detail about seeing the man through the window. The interviewer had strong qualities when it came to the verbal aspect of this interview. In the fourth segment when the interview was when he was gathering information about the accused and his description. In this part, he did well on not asking any leading questions other than when he asked, “did he push your shoulders?” (Video file, 1998). He also forgot to ask questions on his description like his age, weight, any glasses, any visible weapons, or even which direction he fled. Following that, she was very emotional, and the investigator used silence as a tool, he gave her time to recollect herself which was very courteous and