Page 255 - Deception at work all chapters EBook

256 Deception at Work

UNWILLINGNESS TO COMMIT

Ask questions that require the suspect to commit to detailed, unambiguous answers and, for
very important points, confirm this commitment with him (Table 7.14).

Table 7.14 Most likely reactions to a requirement to commit

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt
Committed responses
Evasion, subjective truths and lack of
commitment

ENTICEMENT QUESTIONS

Many suspects will tell you only what they believe you can already prove and will hold back
damaging information if they can. You may do the same, obtain a denial or prevarication and
then confront him with the contradictory evidence (Table 7.15).

Table 7.15 Most likely reactions to enticement questions

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt

Will usually be reluctant to change an earlier May ask ‘fishing questions’ (see page [xref]) and
explanation then change his explanation to fit the new facts

May dispute the newly produced evidence

The suspect’s confidence is eroded every time he has to change an explanation or agree
that he has not told you the whole truth. After such admissions, you should ask questions to
which the answers are not known and press for detailed answers.

ASK HIM TO REPEAT

At appropriate times say: ‘Would you please repeat that, I am not sure I heard you correctly.’
Your tone should imply that you heard, but did not believe what was being said (Table 7.16).

Table 7.16 Most likely reactions to a request to repeat

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt

Will repeat the answer with consistent levels of More likely to prevaricate, feigned anger,
detail reluctant to repeat

REPEAT IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

You may repeat important questions, each time pressing for more detail (Table 7.17).