Interviewing is one of the critical skills that private investigators bring to the table in any investigation. Gaining information from witnesses, suspects, and subject matter experts often is the primary method that private investigators use to solve a case. 

Establishing rapport with the person being interviewed is the first step in any interview, increasing the chances that the private investigator will gain the information they need. Before an interview, gather information about the individual such as reading statements they have provided prior to the interview, understanding their role in a company, or the reason they are being interviewed. Then; 

1. Start with a conversational approach - Introduce yourself and state the purpose of your interview. Remember to smile. 
2. Ask about the individual - Spend a few minutes talking with the individual about their position, role in the company, or how they are associated with the investigation. Chat about their hobbies, interests if time allows.
3. Show genuine interest in the individual - Let them know you are listening to them. Paraphrase information they share with you.  
4. Use their name - Get their permission, "May I call you Rob?". Then use their name when talking, asking questions. This helps to establish a connection with the individual, personalizing the interview.
5. Be friendly, empathetic - Let them know you understand or are trying to understand their position in a specific investigation. "I can imagine that you feel threatened about being interviewed." Or, "It's tough to be under-appreciated in your work." 
6. Maintain rapport throughout the interview - Private investigators that continually build rapport with the interviewee gather more information. Those being interviewed that feel comfortable with the investigator are more willing to share information that may be relevant to the case. 

Building rapport requires effort on the part of the private investigator in an interview situation. Think of building rapport as making an investment in the investigation. It requires a few minutes of time but can provide excellent results. 

We have selected 10 articles from the Pro PI Academy blog and packaged them into a E-Book (e-pub) and PDF formats. 

Why? 

You can download the articles, keep them on your phone, computer, or tablet, and refer to them anytime. As well as having a table of contents that can take you directly to the article you want to read. 

Download them here. 

Watch this brief presentation on surveillance planning. Brought to you by Pro PI Academy and Bodyguard 101. Share your tips by commenting below. 

Pro PI Academy is proud to announce that we have partnered with Haiku Learning to further enhance our online classroom. After months of beta testing, gathering feedback from our peers, we have launched the new classroom. 

Students can access their course, assignments, and independent study through one portal. In addition, they can track their progress through their grade book. Assignments and instructor communications are accomplished through the online classroom making a seamless online learning experience. 

The new online classroom is available for both the 80 hour Professional Investigator and Continuing Education Courses. 

1. Save Time 

Scheduling and implementing online learning is less time-consuming and allows the learner to work when they are available to focus on the learning content.

2. Save Money

Eliminate travel expenses to and from the classroom where the course is taught. 

3. Get the Professional Credit Training You Need

ProPI Academy courses meet the requirements for the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies

4. Add Flexibility

You can access online learning opportunities anytime, any place you have access to the Internet, from the comfort of your own home, the beach while on vacation or wherever you might have time to yourself.

5. Increase Accountability

Online learning through ProPI Academy is even more accountable than traditional professional development because assignments, course completions, testing, and participant progress are monitored online.

6. Bring Education Theory to Life

Our online learning experiences take full advantage of the interactivity and multimedia power of the Internet. We engage you with narrated powerpoint presentations, relevant videos and student activities, self-guided research activities. This wide variety of activity and question formats offers a more valuable learning experience than a typical workshop or textbook-based courses.

7. Promote Transference of Learning to the Workplace

Instead of one-shot workshops, you can use the flexibility and lower costs of online learning to follow-up on learning activities with support that leads to implementation of new practices.

8. Create Excitement About Learning

The multimedia delivery of online professional development and the ability to choose the time when you are at your best makes learning more engaging and fun!