2025 NC BLET Interviews and Interrogation

Rapport Definition

a respectful relationship marked by ready communication and mutual understanding or a relationship built on mutual trust or emotional affinity

When you're being courteous and polite during an interview/interrogation you can consider saying what?

I understand that you are upset/nervous/stressed, but I've treated you fairly and respectfully. I have not raised mu voice or yelled. I would appreciate the same from you.

What is the foundation of interviews?

rapport building

What is an example of how you can have a personalized greeting at the beginning of a interrogation/interview?

Hello. My name is Officer Frank Levitz. Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me. How are you doing today?

What is an example of how you can have a personalized greeting at the beginning of a interrogation/interview?

Hello. My name is Deputy Amy Valino. I realize this is a difficult situation, but I need your help. Do you mind talking with me and answering a few questions?

What is a way you can be up front during the interview process?

The reason I am here is that I need your help with...

I only have a few questions. It will take less than xx minutes.

What is a way you can be up front during the interview process?

I will ask one question at a time for you to answer. I may take notes and not always make eye contact, but I am listening. I'll save and ask any follow-up questions toward the end of the interview. Do you have any questions for me before we started?

What are some ways you can show empathy to victims/witnesses during an interview/interrogation?

This is a very tough situation. How can I help you?

Would you like something to drink?

What are some ways you can show empathy to victims/witnesses during an interview/interrogation?

Would you like to use the restroom before we start?

If you need to take a break at any time, just let me know.

What should be offered to during interviews/interrogations?

restroom, food, and drink

What are some ways you can show empathy to suspects during an interview/interrogation?

I'm sure you are nervous about being here. I need to ask some questions and listen to you to accurately document what you say.

What are some ways you can show empathy to suspects during an interview/interrogation?

It's natural to be nervous about being here. Please try to relax. I know every story has two sides, and I'm here to get your side.

What's an example of how to identify and emphasize shared interests?

"Our Goal is to ensure that any information you have about this incident is accurately documented"

What are some physical barriers that can exist in interviews/interrogations?

furniture and/or patrol car

How can you minimize distractions inside of a home?

ask interviewee to turn off any electronics like TV/radio or secure pets in another room

How can you minimize distractions inside your department?

close window blinds and office doors and turn off portable radios

If relatives or friends are present when you are conducting an interview/interrogation you should do what?

ask them to leave

If relatives or friends are present when you are conducting an interview/interrogation on a juvenile you should do what?

allow the parent or legal guardian to remain unless they want them to leave and are 16/17 years old

You should be mindful of what when you are interviewing someone at their home?

security issues such as residents having access to weapons and items that may be used as weapons

If communication with an interviewee is strained, awkward, or distrustful you should?

Stop the interview and try again later.

Turn over interview to new officer if you think it may be more effective

What is neutrality?

being fair, impartial, not favoring either side in a conflict or disagreement, and keeping an open mind

How can you demonstrate neutrality during interviews/interrogations?

-treat everyone with respect

-recognize and manage bias

-be patient, listen, and give time to answer

-avoid leading questions

-dont dominate

-active listening

Leading questions can do what?

distort the interviewee's perception or memory and be more pronounced with victims and witnesses

EX: Did he punch you in the face?

Officers should begin interviews with?

open ended questions

What are some things you should not do during an interview/interrogation?

accusations

coercion

false evidence

close ended questions

Questioning helps officers demonstrate what?

active listening

empathy

understanding

neutrality

What are the 2 types of probing questions?

open ended questions

closed ended questions

What do cogitative interviews allow?

officers to conduct interviews with a cooperative witness, victim, or suspect and obtain all known and relevant information

Cognitive interviews are designed to help what?

the interviewee think about an event (the crime) as they witnessed or experienced it

An example of what to say during a cognitive interview?

Put yourself back into the same situation or place when the event occurred. Reflect on where you were standing, what you were thinking about, what you were feeling, and what the scene looked like.

What are the 5 phases of a cognitive interview?

introduction

open-ended narration

asking follow up questions

reviewing the interviewees statement

closing

When in the introduction stage of a cognitive interview what could an officer consider saying?

"Before we begin, I would like to get to know you a little better. What do you do on a typical day?"

When attempting to obtain information during a cognitive interview what could an officer consider saying?

'For this interview, I need as much detailed information as possible"

"Tell me everything you know and remember. Nothing is too trivial or irrelevant."

What percent should an officer spend talking during an investigative interview?

20%

When trying to get the interviewee to focus an officer can suggest what?

that they close their eyes when trying to remember specific details

To promote accuracy in the recall, officers should explicitly instruct interviewees not to what??

guess and say I dont know or I dont remember

During the open ended stage of an interview and interrogation officers can say?

"Please tell me in your own words what happened in detail from beginning to end."

An interviewees ___ of a crime can help develop a plan about which images to probe, in what order, and which questions to ask when examining each image.

mental images of crime such as perpetrator/weapons

During follow up questions to demonstrate active listening and minimizing the potential for miscommunication what can an officer do?

use some of the interviewees own words

When should the reverse-order technique be used?

only after the forward narrative report and the follow up questioning phase

Allow victims and witnesses to take control of the interview by?

openly acknowledging that you are relying on them

Retrieving information from memory is most efficient when?

the context of the original event is recreated at the time of recall

You should ask the interviewee to describe events how?

multiple times in ways that promote varied retrieval, but without repeating the same question

EX: Instead of saying can you tell me what the suspect looked like? ask the same question in different ways such as Did the suspect remind you of anyone you know?

For asking about objects in multiple different ways officers can say?

How much did it weigh?

What kind of material was it made of?

During an interview officers can also ask questions that change the perspectives for example?

What do you think the cashier saw?

You should not do what during an interview?

Do not ask questions/interrupting while person is thinking

Do not talk over them

Do not apply social pressure or encourage them to answers they don't know

What does obtaining written statements from interviewees add?

credibility and strengthens the validity of the information provided

The interviewee's written statement should not..?

differ substantially from the officer's notes

When should you obtain written statements and what should you provide the interviewee with?

at the end

pen/paper to write by hand

You should give the interviewee what while writing their written statement and remind them to do what?

privacy

include dates, times, people, and anything they believe is important

The interviewee must be able to do what after they completed their written statement?

must be able to read the statement they authored

If an interviewee mess ups or omits information what should they do?

cross out the error and initial

add it at the end of the written statement

Can LE write the statement of the interviewee if they cannot do so?

Yes as long as the writing reflects what the interviewee said and have them confirm/verify the written statement with name, signature, date, and time

What are some methods in which you can build rapport?

1. begin with personalized greeting

2. use focus but non accusatory style to begin casual convo

3. allow interviewee time to be accustome to officers presence

4. explain interview/interrogation process upfront & follow through

5. show empathy

6. when appropriate identify and emphasize shared interests

7. be self aware & adjust communication if needed

8. adjust/remove physical barriers

9. minimize external distractions

10. manage proxemics

11. change officers when needed

What is respect?

act of giving particular attention/consideration

What are some methods an officer can use during an interview/interrogation to show respect?

1. show empathy

2. be courteous/polite

3. explain process upfront and follow through

4. never humiliate or use sarcasm

5. don't communicate personal opinions or be judgmental

6. use appropriate language for age, culture, or affiliation

When language is misused the interviewee can interpret it as ????

posing or disrespectful

During the introduction stage of a cognitive interview officers should?

build rapport, encourage interviewee to play role by volunteering information, show empathy, and explain detail information needed

What's a question you can ask during an introduction?

Before we begin, I would like to get to know you a little better. What do you do on a typical day?

During the open ended narration an officer should?

take a few moments to mentally go back to time and place where event happened, ask questions that recreate external/emotional/cognitive factors, and focus on what the person is saying

You should only take notes on?

areas requiring follow up questions

What are some examples of external, emotional, and cognitive factors?

external (weather)

emotional (emotions)

cognitive (thoughts)

Interviewee ___,___,___, and _____ leading up to the event are also relevant.

sights, sounds, smells, and state of mind

Officers should allow the interviewee to do what?

recreate moments leading up to the event

How should you ask follow up questions?

1. a few open ended questions

2. give time to search their memory and form answers

3. encourage or allow interviewees to communicate/describe information nonverbally

4. ask them to narrate but in reverse order

What is the purpose of follow up questions?

guides interviewees to the richest sources of scenes or mental images

What are some non-verbal ways interviewees can communicate or describe information?

sketch scene, place objects within a model, or pointing to them on a map

Recalling an event in reverse order is??

more of a frame-by-frame approach and less flexible when compared to recalling the event in forward order where there is generally a clear chronology of events

The reverse order technique should only be employed??

after the forward narrative report and follow up questioning phase

Reviewing the interviewees statement allows officers to?

confirm accuracy and provide interviewees within an opportunity to recall additional details

When you're reviewing an interviewees statements an officer should?

clarify uncertainty or discrepancies

read notes back to the witness- ask them to correct if needed

address any ambiguities or contradictions

In closing during a cognitive interview/interrogation an officer should?

thank the interviewee for the needed help and encourage them to make contact if new information is remembered

may contact in a couple of days

What are some benefits of a cognitive interview?

alleviates nervousness and uncertainty

reduces anxiety

allows officer to understand interviewees overall representation of the event

develops efficient strategy for probing the various memory records

What is the six step method for conducting a noncustodial interview of victims, witnesses, and suspects?

PRIDES

What does PRIDES stand for?

Plan the interview

Rapport building

Identify people

Develop information

Evaluate Information

Summarize

Planning the interview involves

knowing the purpose of the interview, purpose of information obtained, purpose to help specific person, specific/critical information that needs to be obtained, take detailed notes, determine the need/value to record interview, gather information from intelligence sources, and not what not to talk about

Rapport begins ____ and continues _____.

immediately and continues throughout the interview

Identifying people means..

getting a positive ID for all persons interviewed which makes it easier for officers to recontact them later if needed

What are should you ask for and what information should you obtain when getting a positive ID?

Photo ID

Name, DOB, Home Address, Phone Number (best one to reach and time)

When you are developing information you should?

use open ended questions such as:

1. Starting from time of day or activity can you tell me what happened?

2. What do you remember about..?

3. Can you describe...?

4. Can you explain the exact nature of the problem to me?

You should ask follow up questions when?

after initial question is fully answered

When developing information an officer should practice what?

active listening (not interrupting), watch interviewee's behavior, listen to their word choices, and take detailed notes

What does evaluating mean during an interview?

looking over the information provided during the interview by reviewing and asking follow up questions

Make sure when you are evaluating an interview you:

-review statements and provide the interviewee with the opportunity to elaborate, clarify, or correct

-use open ended questions to confirm statement & pursue areas identified for follow up

-use open ended question when more detail or elaboration is needed- avoid leading questions

-obtain written statements

What are some questions you can ask during the evaluation stage of an interview?

Let's review what we discussed to make sure I understand everything.

What I heard you say was ___, is that correct?

Is there anything that needs to be changed?

Is there anything I did not ask you about that you want me to know?

Summarizing an interview means you are?

reexplaining the interview and communicating next steps if any

leave interviewee with open invitation to recontact you by giving a business card, give interviewee last word by asking if they have any final questions, end with sincere thank you, and complete/submit an official report detailing the interview

Some things an officer can sat during the summarizing stage of a cognitive interview?

We are finished, but I may need to talk with you again later this week, Should I call your mobile or work phone?

We still have other people to talk with and other evidence to examine.

Our next step is to present everything to the local prosecutor to determine if criminal charges will be filed.

What should you include your official report detailing an interview?

date/time/location

interviewee name and contact information

interviewee description

questions asked by officers

interviewee answers to questions

referral or follow up actions

What is a field interview?

a brief interaction where officers talk with and ask people questions to learn information; used to learn basic and real time information about people, places, and events

A field interview conducted after an investigative stop or detention requires?

notes detailing the specific and articulable facts that justify the stop or detention

North Carolina does not have what kind of law?

Stop & Identify- a person can refuse to identify themselves unless the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person has committed a crime (doesn't apply to DWI checkpoint or wreck)

What are the purposes of field interviews?

used to strike up casual conversation with citizens

prevent crime

gather information to problem solve

build positive relationships with citizens

learn information needed to solve a crime

determine victim, witness, or suspect involvement in crime

maintain centralized records of field contacts

What are 4 strategies for field notes?

PRIDES method

area with limited distractions/safe

use time efficiently

report field interview

Even if someone is not a potential witness or an address that had no response in a canvass interview the officer should?

notes of all persons/addresses must be made

Interrogation under Miranda refers to?

express questioning and also any words/actions on the part of the police that the police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response

Reasons for an interrogation:

learn the truth

find more facts

obtain a truthful confession

recover evidence or property

corroborate investigative theories

eliminate or identify other suspects

The 4th amendment applies to interrogation how?

any statement obtained during an unconstitutional seizure (detention or arrest) may be inadmissible in court

The 5th amendment applies to interrogation how?

prohibits COMPELLED incrimination- must be notified of this right (two exceptions are public safety purposes and booking)

The 6th amendment applies to interrogation how?

right to counsel attaches at the initial appearance before magistrate or when defendant is indicted/information has been filed (critical stage)

How does the 14th amendment apply to interrogation?

only voluntary statements are admissible in court