Rapport Building and Investigative Interviewing - Guest Lecture - lecture 7

Introduction to Investigative Interviewing

• Guest lecture by Cassandra (Caslo), a master's student in forensic psychology.

• Focus on rapport building and information disclosure within investigative interviews.

• Presentation structure includes definitions, relevance, challenges, rapport building techniques, virtual interviewing, and research findings.

Investigative Interviews

• Definition: Interviews conducted by police to extract information for criminal investigations.

• Distinction from "interrogations":

  • Investigative interviews seek to gather information, not accuse.

  • Terminology reflects a more cooperative approach, especially with victims and witnesses.

• Purpose: Information gathering from victims and witnesses to aid investigations.

  • Eyewitnesses can be crucial for obtaining accurate event accounts.

• Challenges:

  • Ensuring interviews are effective to avoid wrongful accusations or failures in justice.

  • Sensitive nature of events can hinder recall, evoking negative emotions.

    • Cognitive load can impact memory retrieval due to high-stress situations.

Importance of Rapport in Interviewing

• Role of rapport building in effective investigative interviewing.

  • Facilitates the interviewee's memory search.

• Tikal Degnan and Rosenthal (1990) define rapport building as involving:

  1. Mutual attention

  2. Positivity in interaction

  3. Coordination in communication

• Gabbert et al.'s systematic search highlights:

  • Professional rapport building: Personalization, approachability, and active listening.

  • More than 90% of studies indicate a positive effect on information disclosure through rapport building.

Effects of Rapport Building

• Benefits identified include:

  • Increased information disclosure (number of details shared).

  • Benefits in reducing anxiety during interviews.

  • Misinformation inoculation: Rapport can mitigate integration of incorrect information into accounts.

  • Enhanced accurate recall of memories and details from eyewitnesses.

Elements of Rapport Building Behaviors

• Key behaviors include:

  • Eye contact, follow-up questions, warm demeanor.

  • Acknowledgment of the interviewee's emotions and experiences.

• Challenges in virtual contexts due to limitations in non-verbal communication.

Virtual Interviewing

• Research focus on the impact of virtual interviewing on rapport and information disclosure.

• Benefits of virtual interviews:

  • Cost-effectiveness and time savings.

  • Accessibility for participants unable to attend in person.

  • Environmental familiarity can reduce cognitive load for interviewees.

• Concerns:

  • Lack of physical presence (no handshakes, eye contact).

  • Potential risks for interviewees in unsafe conditions while at home.

  • Technology reliance can disrupt interaction.

Research Thesis Overview

• Examined the process of rapport building in virtual interviewing.

• Aimed to compare detail quantity and accuracy in rapport vs no rapport conditions.

• Used a sensitive stimulus (sexual education video) for interviews to understand participant comfort and recall accuracy.

Methodology in Research

• 94 undergraduate participants involved; two conditions: rapport vs no rapport.

• Emphasized genuine rapport beyond script and maintained throughout interviews.

• Collected data on perceived rapport, number of spoken words, and detail accuracy.

Key Findings

• Rapport condition participants reported feeling more rapport than the no rapport condition (large effect size).

• Higher word count in rapport condition, indicating willingness to provide more information.

• Increased quantity and accuracy of details reported by participants in the rapport condition.

• Indicated serious potential for positive effects of rapport on investigative interviewing, even virtually.

Conclusion and Implications for Eyewitness Interviews

• Reinforcement of the importance of rapport in obtaining accurate and comprehensive information.

• Contextual relevance to eyewitness psychology and its application in forensic settings.

• Call for further research connecting investigative interviewing protocols with cognitive interviewing techniques for enhanced effectiveness.

• Open invitation for questions and discussion on rapport building or the research field.

Introduction to Investigative Interviewing

Overview

Guest lecture conducted by Cassandra (Caslo), a master's student specializing in forensic psychology, focusing on the intricacies of rapport building and the nuances of information disclosure within the context of investigative interviews.

Presentation Structure

The presentation is systematically organized into several key segments:

• Definitions: Establishing a clear understanding of the terms used in investigative interviewing.

• Relevance: Discussing the significance of effective interviewing in forensic contexts.

• Challenges: Highlighting the potential difficulties faced by interviewers.

• Rapport Building Techniques: Exploring various methodologies to establish a connection with interviewees.

• Virtual Interviewing: Analyzing how interviewing strategies adapt in digital formats.

• Research Findings: Presenting evidence from studies conducted in this field.

Investigative Interviews

Definition

Investigative interviews are structured discussions led by law enforcement personnel aimed at extracting pertinent information for criminal investigations. These interviews are distinct from interrogations, which often carry a connotation of accusation and pressure.

Distinction from Interrogations

• Objective: While interrogations are frequently focused on obtaining confessions or proving guilt, investigative interviews are designed to gather information from witnesses and victims without presuming their culpability.

• Terminology: The language surrounding investigative interviews reflects a more cooperative stance, particularly crucial in interactions with vulnerable individuals such as victims of crime or witnesses.

Purpose

The main goal of investigative interviews is to collect vital information from eyewitnesses and victims that can significantly assist in resolving criminal cases. Eyewitnesses play a vital role in law enforcement by providing accurate accounts of events.

Challenges

• Effectiveness: Conducting interviews effectively is paramount to avoid wrongful accusations or miscarriages of justice.

• Sensitivity: The sensitive nature of the events being discussed can impede an interviewee's ability to recall details accurately, often triggering traumatic memories.

• Memory Retrieval: High-stress situations can elevate cognitive load, making it harder for individuals to retrieve memories.

Importance of Rapport in Interviewing

Role of Rapport

Building rapport is crucial for successful investigative interviewing, as it helps interviewees feel more comfortable and facilitates their ability to recall and share information.

Definition of Rapport Building

According to Tikal Degnan and Rosenthal (1990), rapport building consists of:

• Mutual Attention: Ensuring both the interviewer and interviewee are engaged in the conversation.

• Positivity: Maintaining a friendly and supportive interaction style.

• Coordination: Establishing an understanding in communication styles to foster connection.

Studies on Rapport Building

Gabbert et al.'s systematic search indicates that:

• Professional rapport building involves personalization, approachability, and active listening.

• Over 90% of studies suggest a strong positive effect of rapport on information disclosure during interviews.

Effects of Rapport Building

Benefits Identified

• Increased Information Disclosure: Individuals tend to share more details when they feel a connection with the interviewer.

• Reduction in Anxiety: A rapport-laden environment can alleviate anxiety and promote a more open dialogue.

• Misinformation Inoculation: Establishing rapport may help prevent the integration of incorrect information into the witness’s account.

• Enhanced Recall Accuracy: Rapport can significantly improve the accuracy of memories and fine details recalled by eyewitnesses.

Elements of Rapport Building Behaviors

Key behaviors that facilitate rapport include:

• Sustained eye contact, thoughtful follow-up questions, and a warm demeanor.

• Acknowledging and validating the emotions and experiences of the interviewee.

• Challenges may arise in virtual settings due to the lack of non-verbal cues.

Virtual Interviewing

Research Focus

Investigating how the dynamics of rapport and information disclosure change in virtual interviewing settings.

Benefits of Virtual Interviews

• Cost-Effectiveness: Virtual interviews can be more economical and time-efficient for both parties.

• Accessibility: Individuals unable to attend in person due to mobility or geographical constraints can participate.

• Cognitive Load Reduction: Being in a familiar environment may ease mental strain for interviewees, aiding their recall abilities.

Concerns

• The absence of physical presence impacts the ability to establish rapport (e.g., no handshake or direct eye contact).

• There are risks for interviewees in insecure domestic situations when interviews are conducted at home.

• Dependence on technology can pose disruptions during the interview process.

Research Thesis Overview

Objective

The thesis examined the essential process of rapport building within virtual interviewing contexts, aiming to compare the quantity and accuracy of details shared in both rapport-enhanced and non-rapport conditions.

Methodology

A total of 94 undergraduate participants were involved in the study, divided into two conditions: rapport vs. no rapport.

• Genuine rapport was emphasized throughout the interviews beyond any scripted interactions.

• Data collected included perceptions of rapport, total words spoken during interviews, and accuracy of details provided.

Key Findings

Results

• Participants in the rapport condition reported feeling significantly more rapport compared to those in the no rapport condition, demonstrating a large effect size.

• There was a higher word count in the rapport condition, suggesting a greater willingness among participants to share information.

• The rapport condition yielded increased quantity and accuracy of details from participants, underscoring the potential for positive effects on investigative interviewing, even in virtual settings.

Conclusion and Implications for Eyewitness Interviews

Final Thoughts

The research reinforces the critical importance of establishing rapport to secure accurate and comprehensive information from interviewees.

• The findings have contextual relevance to eyewitness psychology, indicating vital applications in forensic interview settings.

• A call for further research is made to connect investigative interviewing protocols with cognitive interviewing techniques to enhance overall effectiveness.

• An open invitation for questions and discussion on the concepts of rapport building and its broader implications within the research field.