PI's: Art of the Interview

The interview of witnesses, victims, and suspects is the primary service of private investigators. Excellent interview techniques are what separates a good private investigator from a great one. Gathering statements, digging deeper through an interview to get to the facts takes time in research, conducting the interview, and verifying statements. 

Here are some tips from private investigators with excellent interview skills: 

• "I remind myself constantly that someone is allowing me to interview them. It's not something they have to do. They can get up and leave the room at anytime. So, I make a point to keep them engaged in a discussion as much as an interview." 
• "Developing rapport when you start an interview is critical. But, I always revert back to rapport development during the interview when I see they are getting tired, or wanting to stray from topics. It keeps them engaged and they tend to open up more." 
• "It's about the poker face. Not showing what you are thinking. I make a point to keep my poker face on. I will smile if they do, mirror their emotions to gain their trust, but most of the time I keep the poker face on." 
• "I play a game -- Try to know their answers to questions before you ask them. I gather as much background information as I can, for example; where were they at the time, what's their occupation, what area of town do they live in. This gives me a truth check on their answers." 
• "I focus on the body language, often by having a second investigator with me. One of us focuses on their body language while the other asks the questions." 
• "Let them stray from the topic a little. It puts them at ease, they talk more, and generally, even when they are off topic, there is great information to gain from them." 
• "Be empathetic with suspects during the interview. I've successfully gotten confessions by being empathetic, like, "It must really be tough being passed over for promotion. I can see how that can anger someone.""
• "I make a point to find secondary verification for what they tell me. For example; time cards let me know if they were there the day of the incident, or other witnesses that remember seeing them there. If something doesn't check out, then I interview them again." 

Being a great interviewer takes practice. Before each interview review the key steps such as developing rapport, opening statements, open ended questions use, closing statements. This will help you focus on the interview, the information you need, and analyzing the information you receive.