Investigative Interviewing

top Overview

In 1993, the P.E.A.C.E Training Model was introduced for police use in England and Wales as the basis of all investigative interviewing. It has since been adopted as best practice by numerous police forces and other public and private agencies worldwide, including the New Zealand Police.

It involves:

P – Planning and Preparation
E – Engage and Explain
A – Account, Clarification and Challenge
C – Closure
E – Evaluate

This Short Course is an opportunity for you to:

  • Improve your communication and questioning skills
  • Analyse your own individual skills in interviewing
  • Learn the methods of preparing and implementing the PEACE Model in business
  • Increase the quality and quantity of information obtained to achieve successful business outcomes

top Topics Covered

Day 1
Background to Investigative Interviewing
This session analyses the concepts, principles and protocols underpinning the PEACE Model.

Questioning Style Development and Case Study
Understand and improve questioning skills to understand the correct questions to use in any Interview. An interactive practical examination of a case scenario, highlighting key elements of the PEACE approach.

Interviewing a Witness – The Cognitive Model
Introduction
The interviewer seeks to obtain the interviewee’s recollection of the events of interest with the aim of being given the fullest possible account. To assist recollection, the Cognitive Model was developed. The witness is asked to think back and mentally relive the event, initially with minimum interference from the interviewer.

THE PEACE MODEL IN ACTION – WITNESSES
Planning and Preparation
Prior to the interview, the interviewer prepares an interview plan containing all the necessary elements; including defining the aims and objects of the interview and assessing what evidence is available and from where it can be obtained. This interactive practical session highlights the key points.

Engage and Explain
This session deals with the early phases of an interview.
Engage – The interview opens with an introduction appropriate to the circumstances and a suitable relationship is formed, the interviewer showing awareness of and responding to the welfare needs of the witness and any particular fears and expectations the witness may have.
Explain – The reasons for the interview are explained, as are the routines to be followed and how it relates to the evidential process.

Account, Clarification and Challenge
This is the process used to obtain the witnesses’ recollection of events of interest, aimed at achieving the fullest possible account from the witness.
Account - This process involves obtaining from the witnesses quality information and fine grain detail. The interviewer summarises and recounts what the witness has said at each stage so that both parties have an agreed understanding of what has taken place.
Clarification and Challenge - The interviewer seeks to clarify the witnesses’ account, inquiring about parts of the account in turn and in detail. The witness may be challenged in a structured way as to the veracity of his/her account. The interviewer will seek to establish “the evidence chain” and identify weaknesses and inconsistencies.

Closure and Evaluation
Closure – The interviewer ensures there is a planned closure rather than an impromptu end. The witness is given the opportunity to ask questions and an explanation is provided so the witness knows what is going to happen next.
Evaluation – After each interview is completed the event and the material gathered should be fully evaluated, including consideration as to whether the objectives were achieved, any further information is required and the need for any further enquiries or corroboration.

Day 2

Interviewing Suspects – Processes and Techniques
Case Study – Interviewing a Suspect
Although the PEACE Model applies to interviewing both witnesses and suspects, there are differences between the two. This session and Day Two focuses on interviewing suspects.

Interviewing a Suspect – The Management of Conversation Model
Introduction
The suspect is asked first to say what happened and the resulting account is separated into individual parts, which are examined in turn and in detail. The interviewer tests the suspect’s responses or lack of them. This session closely examines the concepts behind the Conversation Management Model, including effective questioning techniques, which will expose any deceit or concealment.

THE PEACE MODEL IN ACTION – SUSPECTS
Planning and Preparation
This session reflects the Day One session on the same topic but focuses on the relevant approach for interviewing a suspect.

Engage and Explain
This session corresponds to the Day One session on the same topic but concentrates on the relevant approach for interviewing a suspect.The interviewer will outline the reasons for the interview and explains the routines to be followed during the interview. Any necessary caution is administered; with the interviewer ascertaining the suspect understands it.

Account and Clarification
Account – Obtaining Quality Information
Obtaining accurate and reliable information is of paramount importance to the success of an interview. This workshop is a practical interactive examination of real life cases highlighting the PEACE approach.

Challenge – Securing a Conviction
Often, the ultimate purpose of an investigation is to establish whether an offence has been committed, identify the culprit and then present compelling evidence to secure a conviction. This session explains how the correct interviewing techniques can lead to that conviction.

Closure and Evaluation – Weighing up the Result
After each interview is complete, the interviewer must place the interview in the context of the whole investigation and review the information obtained along with that already available, giving due consideration to any points required to prove the offence and taking into account any evidence establishing a defence to that offence.

top Who should attend

Anyone who works in the following areas:

  • Fraud Prevention and Detection 
  • Forensic Accounting 
  • Compliance 
  • Corporate Governance 
  • Loss/Claim Investigation
  • Risk Management
  • Legal/In-house Counsels 
  • Law Enforcement/Security 
  • Dispute Resolution 
  • Workplace/Personnel Matters

top Outcomes

Upon completion of this Short Course, you will:

  • Be aware of communication styles and how they influence interactions with others
  • Develop essential questioning skills (both verbal and non verbal)
  • Prepare for interviews using the proven PEACE structure
  • Manage the interview process to achieve the desired results
  • Analyse a process that you have already experienced and identify ways to improve future interviews