Here are some special considerations:

When interviewing a victim of a crime, particularly a crime of violence, or an otherwise emotional witness, you must keep in mind the emotional state can result in an exaggerated account of the incident. A follow-up interview, when the emotional interviewee has calmed down, is recommended.

With any interviewee who is a victim, always begin the interview by displaying concern and consideration for the victim's injuries or losses and give assurances that you will do your utmost in behalf of the victim.

Two good reasons for doing that areas follows:

1. The truthful victim will feel he or she has come to the right place and will try to recall details that will be helpful to you.

2. The lying victim will be placed off-guard and will be more likely to mention discrepancies in the story that you will be able to detect.

Photographs and sketches are often useful during interviews. When shown to interviewees, they orient interviewees and investigators, ensure mutual understanding, and help assure complete coverage of the matter being discussed.

Sketches are particularly valuable during questioning of large numbers of individuals who were present when multiple offenses were committed. The individuals questioned can locate their own positions on outline sketches and relate their observations to known time and distance factors. Care should be taken to mark for identification and preserve such photographs and sketches for possible use as exhibits in court.

You should attempt to record interviews for future reference. Any interview can be recorded as a statement by the interviewee, on an electronic recording device (with the permission of the interviewee), or in the form of notes taken. The last method is the most commonly used.

When taking notes, keep in mind that many persons become disturbed when they realize that what they are saying is being recorded. Therefore, notes should not generally be taken until after the interviewee has told the story at least once and you have clarified and summed up what has been told.

Exceptions occur when it is necessary to jot down certain information such as addresses, telephone numbers, and detailed descriptions of persons or stolen items. Should the interviewee display annoyance toward note-taking, delay note-taking until immediately after the interview.

A consensual electronic recording provides a convenient means of preserving the content of an interview. The recording should be carefully kept in its entirety, together with any stenographic transcripts made. A complete chain of custody should be maintained for all such items, as they may later prove valuable in legal proceedings if they can be duly identified and authenticated.

When using electronic recording devices to record interviews or interrogations, the consent of the witness or suspect must be obtained preferably in writing. Should you encounter an individual who refuses to grant permission do not use an electronic recording device. If you have questions regarding the use of electronic recording devices, consult the NCIS.

Upon termination of the interview, display your appreciation for the cooperation of the interviewee. This applies not only to interviewees who have been completely cooperative from the very beginning of the interview but also to those who initially had to be encouraged and motivated to finish the information sought. No promises or hints of confidentiality should be given.

The time required in bringing the interview to a close may be used successfully to secure valuable additional information. Reluctant suspects or witnesses may tend to drop their guard after the questioning has ceased and you have put your notebook away. The interviewee who has successfully suppressed pertinent facts during the interview may mention such facts immediately following the interview. By carefully handling the witness or suspect, you may secure the facts that eluded you during the interview.

Evaluating Information Received

After obtaining information from any interviewee, you should evaluate the information obtained by comparing it with information received from other interviewees, with observations at the scene of the crime or incident, with physical evidence in the case, and with any other information you may have received.

During the interview, the mannerisms and emotional state of the interviewee may be helpful in evaluating the reliability of the information. Personalities of individuals, however, differ to such an extent that it is better to evaluate the information as stated above. Some interviewees, for example, can lie without displaying any nervousness or outward signs of lying. Others, even though they are being truthful, display nervousness whenever they talk to anyone in authority or become involved in any way with law enforcement personnel.

In your evaluation, you should strive to obtain a clearer picture of the entire case as it has progressed to this point. If any discrepancies exist among information obtained from different sources, they should be resolved through reinterviews or any other means possible.

Quality Control

Supervisors of investigators should check on the quality of performance of their investigators as often as their manpower resources allow.

Supervisors can best evaluate the effectiveness of investigators during the interview by reviewing results to assure that investigators are not consistently obtaining negative results, and by periodically, as situations allow, witnessing interviews conducted by investigators. However, supervisors must use discretion when deciding to witness an interview and should not do so if the investigator, who is more knowledgeable of the case, feels the supervisor's presence would jeopardize interview results.

Additionally, supervisors can talk with interviewees shortly after interviews have been conducted to determine their attitudes following the interview.