STAGES OF INTERVIEWING A WITNESS
Generally, the question as to whether an offence has been committed is not difficult for the police to decide but what is difficult is "who committed the offence? "
With basic investigations and interviewing skills coupled with basic scientific tools, the police can unravel any difficult case without resort to violence in the suspects and witnesses.
To conduct a proper interview, either as a police officer or as a Legal practitioner in criminal investigations, it is advised that the interviewer passes through these stages.
- RAPPORT BUILDING STAGE
at this stage, matters unrelated to the offence OR subject may be discussed. Usually, it starts with the interviewer introducing himself in his own words. Also questions as to where the witness/suspect lives, occupation, nature of work and past work experiences may be asked at this stage.
At some point, some sense of humour may be introduced. However, the whole essence of this stage is not necessarily to make friends with the witness but to encourage free flow of interaction and information.
- INFORMATION EXCHANGE STAGE.
at this stage, the interviewer is getting down to more details, he can now ask more direct questions and seek clarifications on answers given.
- CHALLENGE STAGE
at this stage, with benefit of the robust interaction with the witness from the rapport building and information exchange stages, the interviewer would now have a clearer idea of the psychology of the witness and his level of consistency. The interviewer is now better equipped to challenge the witness on specific aspects of his information, he will now be able to put more direct questions to the witness.
He can now change from the open question style to the closed question style, calling for a "yes or no" answer. At this stage also, the approach of the interviewer may change from "warm and friendly to cold and official"
4.CONCLUDING STAGE.
at this stage all questions has been asked, but the interviewer may reasonably ask the suspect to tell him any other thing about the case that he thinks the interviewer should know.
NOTE!! the interview setting should be bare and free of instruments of torture such as cane, electric heater, needles etc, and the room should look as friendly as it can be.
Picture source: #Google
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