After completing this topic, you should be able to
[Topic title: Interviewing Witnesses to an Incident.] In any crime television show, chances are good that every episode will include at least one scene where members of law enforcement interview a witness. There's a good reason behind this scene being so predominant: witness interviews play an important part in investigations.
Not everyone is equipped to conduct interviews. Because of the amount of care and attention that goes into interviews, only experienced personnel should conduct them.
Once the investigation team has selected an interviewer, a time and place is arranged to conduct one-on-one interviews with witnesses. Regardless of what's being investigated, it's critical that witnesses are interviewed as soon as possible after the incident. This way, the memory of the incident is still fresh.
When conducting an interview, the interviewer should begin by explaining the purpose of the investigation and putting the witness at ease. It’s also the interviewer's responsibility to obtain preliminary statements from each witness individually, and word each question carefully to ensure the witness understands. The interviewer should also listen attentively and let the witness speak freely.
During an interview, the interviewer should take notes in a way that doesn't distract the witness. It's important to record their exact words, so if a witness consents, it's a good idea to use an audio recording device – or a cellphone – to record their statement. The interviewer can use sketches, photos, and diagrams if necessary, to help the witness remember events. But they should never put words into a witness's mouth. Using a master chart, the interviewer must also locate the position and direction of view of each witness in relation to the incident scene. And hearsay must be labeled accordingly.
In addition to recording each witness's account of an incident, the interviewer should identify the witness's qualifications – for instance, their name, address, occupation, and years of experience.
Once the interview is complete, a copy of the statement must be given to the witness.
But that's not the end of the interview process. In some cases, witnesses are re-interviewed to clarify and confirm crucial points. Witness testimonies are then arranged in logical order, regardless of any disparities between statements. Once they're organized, the information is evaluated with data collected in the initial incident report.
Keep in mind, not everyone responds the same way in certain situations. For instance, someone who witnesses an incident from far away may recount a different story compared to someone who witnessed the incident close up.
And some witnesses may change their stories after discussing an incident with others, which is why it's crucial to get their statements as soon as possible after an incident. However, even the reason behind a change can provide additional clues.
By following the recommended guidelines during the interview process, interviewers are more likely to uncover the facts of an incident, which ultimately affect the resolution.
With that in mind, let's take a short break for some practice questions. After you've finished, we'll pick up here.
Which three options are appropriate guidelines to follow when interviewing incident witnesses?
Options:
Option 1: This option is correct. Experienced personnel should be conducting these interviews because they need to be carefully handled.
Option 2: This option is correct. Interviewers can use sketches, photographs, and diagrams to help witnesses remember events.
Option 3: This option is correct. Accuracy is important in recording the interview. Don't put words in the mouths of witnesses, and be sure to label hearsay as hearsay.
Option 4: This option is incorrect. Audio recording devices may only be used in interviews with the consent of witnesses.
Correct answer(s):
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