Investigative Interviewing Skills for Law Enforcement

Course Introduction

This Oxford Investigative Interviewing Skills for Law Enforcement training course is an excellent opportunity for law enforcement officers and staff who want to improve their ability to interview suspects, victims, and witnesses in a human rights compliant and sensitive way. It covers international best practices on preparing for interviews, obtaining comprehensive accounts from those being interviewed, and providing both intelligence and evidence, which enhances investigative opportunities and maximises the evidence available to prosecute offenders. It is very practical and will give the participants the skills and abilities to use effective questioning techniques as well as supporting those most impacted by criminal activity.

Using realistic case studies, it provides a structured pathway on how to get the best evidence available from victims and witnesses of crime, some of whom may be frightened, threatened or simply vulnerable because they are old or very young. It identifies the most effective way to get crucial information from suspects and focuses on the search for truth, transparency, and fairness. 

This Oxford training course will highlight:

• Effective preparation and planning of interviews
• How to achieve the most comprehensive accounts from interviewees?
• Types and style of questioning that can be used
• How to deal appropriately and sensitively with intimidated, vulnerable, and juvenile interviewees?
• Measures that can be utilised to protect victims and witnesses within the investigative and judicial process

Objectives

By the end of this Oxford training course, the participants will be able to:

• Understand and utilise investigative interviewing processes for a fully human rights compliant and effective way of maximising the evidential and intelligence opportunities from victims, witnesses and suspects
• Outline the principles and ethics of investigative interviewing
• Explain the difference between open, closed and leading questions
• Implement techniques to interview suspects to maximise the evidential potential of the accounts that can be obtained from them
• Identify opportunities to utilise witnesses to the most excellent evidential effect including the management of risk and witness protection measures

Training Methodology

This Oxford Investigative Interviewing Skills for Law Enforcement training course will have subjects presented in utilising a variety of proven adult learning techniques, focused on case studies and best practices. This will include PowerPoint presentations, active participation in class practical cases followed by active group sessions, video materials, and tabletop activities.

Organisational Impact

The organization will acquire a thorough understanding of good practice around Investigating Interviewing models and techniques so that more offenders are taken to justice, victims are fully supported throughout the investigative process, and witnesses' accounts improve the evidential case. The Staff will be better prepared to investigate crimes more thoroughly and be more confident to engage with members of the public in challenging circumstances.

Impact on the organisation from the participants upon attending this Oxford training course includes the following benefits: 

• Establish a thorough foundation regarding the fundamentals of Investigative Interviewing
• Adopt an organized and structured way of interviewing suspects, victims, and witnesses
• Improve the competence, capability, and performance of staff interview suspects, victims, and witnesses
• Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of investigating and prosecuting criminal offenses and getting value for money
• Enhance public trust and confidence in the organisations ability to investigate and prosecute criminal offenses
• Underlines the importance of a victim focused investigation searching for the true facts of each case in a fully transparent and ethical process

Personal Impact

This Oxford training course will personally benefit the participants to gain or enhance their understanding and knowledge by the following: 

• Adopt an organized and structured way of interviewing suspects, victims, and witnesses
• Determine the most effective questioning techniques and styles following an ethical process
• Understand the benefits of planning and preparing interviews, establishing rapport and obtaining comprehensive accounts from interviewees
• Identify options, strategy, and tactics for the most appropriate methods of interviewing intimidated, vulnerable or juvenile interviewees
• Understand special measures that can be used to protect and support key witnesses within the judicial process
• Appreciate and implement a victim-focused investigation searching for the true facts of each case in a fully transparent and ethical process

Who Should Attend?

This Oxford Investigative Interviewing training Course is suitable to a wide range of law enforcement officers and staff engaged in the investigation of the crime of all descriptions. 

This Oxford training course is a suitably wide range of professionals but will significantly benefit: 

• Police Officers
• Prosecutors
• Security Services,
• Immigration and Customs Officers
• Intelligence Practitioners and Managers
• Homicide, Kidnap and Rape Investigators
• Counter-Terrorism Investigators
• Serious and Organised Crime Investigators
• Any other agency tasked with investigating and interviewing suspects, victims and witnesses regarding criminal activity

Course Outline

Day 1

The Importance of an Effective Interview Process

Day 2

Planning and Preparing for the Interview 

Day 3

Engaging with the Interviewee  

Day 4

Obtaining the Account from the Interviewee 

Day 5

Interviewing Vulnerable People