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Conducting Tough Interviews 241

person is depressed and to focus on the future and how the problem can be resolved. Also try
to get the person to look upwards by holding an exhibit (not one that is too incriminating)
above eye level or pinning it to the wall. Also, if you can get him to laugh or smile, you may
jump-start him into a more positive frame of mind.

THE FAMOUS CASE OF ARTHUR

Arthur lived in South London and was a career am going to kill myself.’
conman. He gained employment, using false Investigators were not perturbed and
qualifications, as marketing director for a
leading financial institution, which he then gently placed exhibits under his prostrate
defrauded to the tune of £19 million. He figure and said, ‘Come on, Arthur, what
initially refused to be interviewed by either the about this?’ One eye furtively opened,
police or investigators employed by the victim then another and then further outbursts of
company, but one morning investigators sorrow and woe. ‘I am going to jump out
called at his house, without warning. Arthur, of the window, right now, and kill myself.’
being a little short-sighted, mistook them for The investigators coolly pointed out that he
estate agents and let them in. was in his lounge which was on the ground
floor and that he should stop ‘fooling
After more than a little prevarication about’. Arthur burst into fits of uncontrolled
he began to answer questions but when laughter, cooled down and confessed.
they turned to critical issues, Arthur threw As the investigators were leaving he said:
himself on the floor and beat his hands, ‘Do you know, I feel much better. Can you
feet and head against it with considerable and your wives join my wife and me at a
violence, saying: ‘My life is in ruins: it has jazz dinner tomorrow? It should be a great
been destroyed. I am an unworthy father. I night.’ The offer was politely refused.

Try to get him to smile

DEALING WITH WAFFLE AND RAMBLING

These diversionary tactics are very popular, especially among politicians. You should remain
consciously on the lookout and stop the rambler in his tracks by interjections such as ‘That
is extremely interesting, Bill, but can we get back to x’, or ‘Can we stop there. I have only ten
minutes left so can you please summarize your position in that time.’

Stop waffle in its tracks

DEALING WITH SPONTANEOUS LOSSES OF MEMORY

Phrases such as ‘I don’t remember’, when the person has made no attempt to access his mem-
ory, are signs of deception. Where you suspect deliberate deception, you should respond:

Example : ‘How can you say that? You haven’t given the question a single moment’s thought. I
am going to ask the question again, so please take a few moments and think carefully …’