Page 263 - Deception at work all chapters EBook

264 Deception at Work

EXPLANATIONS OF INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE

Hand the suspect pieces of incriminating evidence (the key points) – documents, photographs
and summary statements – and ask for his explanation. You may express an opinion that you
believe they prove his guilt. Again the untruthful subject will try to avoid becoming com-
mitted to detail. His denials will usually become weaker when allegations are repeated (Table
7.32)

Table 7.32 Most likely reactions to key point evidence

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt

The subject may ask for an explanation about The guilty person may make assumptions about

the context in which the exhibits were produced the exhibits without asking questions about

and what they mean their context or meaning

He may examine the exhibits carefully and may After a cursory view he may push the exhibits

retain them in his possession away, wishing to distance himself from them

You can increase anxiety by repeatedly pushing the exhibits in front of the suspect and
making him handle them. Generally, the more you can make him keep them within his per-
sonal space, the better.

MINOR TRANSGRESSIONS

Getting the subject to admit to breaches of company procedures and to small fiddles on his
expenses is also important. Each admitted breach, and an acceptance of the potential censure
involved, is a step nearer to a full confession on more important matters. You can point out
that the small admissions he has made are sufficient to result in his dismissal and prosecution,
and that he cannot worsen his situation by helping to resolve other matters.

REPROVING STATEMENTS

You should remain consciously alert to evasions, subjective truths, failures to volunteer etc.
and chastise the subject for trying to mislead you.

Example : ‘Do you use narcotic drugs?’
Interviewer: ‘I don’t use drugs.’ (Note the normal honest response would be a binary
Subject: ‘no’.)
‘But do you take them?’
Interviewer: ‘Yes, sometimes, but I don’t use them.’
Subject: ‘Come on, Bill, you are playing with words. This is not the way we are going
Interviewer: to clear this up. What drugs do you take?’