Page 253 - Deception at work all chapters EBook

254 Deception at Work

THE GOLFING HOLIDAY

For example, if you have conclusive evidence that the suspect went on an expensive golfing
holiday paid for by a vendor, you may casually ask:

Interviewer: ‘Have you ever been paid cash by a vendor?’
Suspect: ‘No’ (Single word, binary answer: probably truthful)
Interviewer: ‘Been given cars, watches, expensive jewellery?’
Suspect: ‘No’ (Single word, binary answer: probably truthful)
Interviewer: ‘Received any other direct or indirect benefit from a vendor?’
Suspect: ‘No, except for a few golf balls’ (Note the qualified denial: untruthful)
Interviewer: ‘Had holidays paid for or anything like that?’
Suspect: ‘No. Why should I do that?’ (Qualified denial with a question answered by a
question and probably hiding responsibility)

Dishonest replies must be challenged and the subject made to face the truth. You should
immediately follow up all instances where the suspect has been caught in a lie or evasion with
an important question to which the answer is not known.

THE TRIP TO PRAGUE

You know that the suspect downgraded his business-class ticket and took his girlfriend with
him on an all-expenses paid trip to Prague. You have obtained a copy of the voucher from the
travel agency. You do not know whether he did the same thing on a business trip to New York.

You ask: ‘Did you travel by yourself to Prague?’
Suspect: ‘Why are you asking that?’ (Question with a question: probably deceptive)
You say: ‘Because I want to know.’
Suspect: ‘Yes. I always travel by myself.’ (Generalization: probably deceptive)

You show him the voucher.

He responds: ‘OK. I took Janet with me. So what? It did not cost the company any more
money and everyone does it. I did nothing wrong.’ (Rationalization)
You say: ‘And you took her with you to New York in July?’ (Assumptive question)
Suspect: ‘Yes.’
You say: ‘Now please be very careful answering this. On what other occasions have
you downgraded your ticket, taken the cash or taken someone else with
Suspect: you on a business trip?’
You say: ‘I have never taken cash.’ (Partial denial.)
‘OK, on how many other occasions has someone else travelled with you?’

Suspect hesitates while thrashing for an answer.

You interject: ‘Twenty or thirty times?’ (Interjection)
Suspect: ‘No, less than that … Maybe five or ten times.’ (Admission)

The suspect thinks and gives details of five other trips.