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Planning Tough Interviews 205

ing parent. You must retain a low-key, sensitive and slow approach to the first and subsequent
admissions: you should empathize with the suspect, make rationalization statements and
slowly and carefully extend admissions into a confession. You should focus on the word ‘we’
and how the matter can be resolved.

If you handle this phase properly you should obtain admissions or confessions or conclude
that the suspect is wholly or partly innocent. If you conclude he is innocent, truthful or both,
you must be prepared to apologize for giving him a hard time:

Example : ‘I am sorry, Bill, I had to put you through that, but it was very important to find
the truth and I am satisfied that you did not … but I would like your help in moving this case
forward.’

It is very rare, bordering on unique, for such an apology not to be accepted by an innocent
subject. On the other hand, if the suspect has made admissions or confessions, this is where
the hard work starts and you must take limitless time in getting to the deep truth.

Turn from a critical to a nurturing parent

Phase F: Getting to the deep truth
This phase focuses on obtaining detailed admissions and confessions, using empathetic and
emotionally challenging questions and getting to the deep truth. By this phase, the chances
are you will have fallen naturally into the role of a nurturing parent and the suspect into that
of an adaptive child. You should also explore any other cases of dishonesty that the suspect
knows about and in which he may have been involved.

Phase G: Follow-up
In this closing down phase, you will complete your notes or transcribe tapes. It is critical that
records are accurate and securely retained. You should also prepare a list of further actions
and review the results of the interview.

In the days following the interview, keep in contact with the suspect and try to obtain
further details. Stay on cordial terms with him and speak to him as frequently as you reason-
ably can. Regular contact, after the interview, makes it less likely that the suspect will try and
withdraw his confession, but don’t be surprised if he turns against you once he has discussed
his confession with accomplices, family and friends.

You should pay particular attention to the opening statement, how you will phrase accusa-
tions and present the key points. When you are planning and rehearsing the interview, con-
sider the types of questions you will use by selecting the most appropriate from Chapter 7.

CONSIDER HOW THE KEY POINTS WILL BE PRESENTED

You should identify, for each suspect, the most important evidence (the ‘key points’) you have
and assemble them in such a way that their presentation will have the maximum visual and
emotional impact: