Page 268 - Deception at work all chapters EBook

Conducting Tough Interviews 269

MISSING FEELINGS

Interviewer: ‘You have told me that Mr Smith told you to complete the form the way
you did. Is that correct?’
Suspect: ‘Yes.’
Interviewer: ‘But you knew it was misleading, wrong or false?’
Suspect: ‘Not false, no.’
Interviewer: ‘But misleading?’
Suspect: ‘Yes, a little, but he was my boss.’
Interviewer: ‘How did you feel when he told you to do this?’
Suspect: ‘What do you mean?’
Interviewer: ‘How did you feel about your boss asking you to complete a false form?’
Suspect: ‘Well, to be absolutely truthful, I do not remember feeling anything. He
was my boss.’
Interviewer: ‘Didn’t you feel really worried, concerned or upset that he was telling you
to do something you knew was wrong, if not criminal?’
Suspect: ‘Not that I remember.’
Interviewer: ‘I think if he had told you to do this, you would have been very angry,
wouldn’t you?’
Suspect: ‘Possibly.’
Interviewer: ‘But you were not angry, were you?’
Suspect: ‘Not that I recall, no.’
Interviewer: ‘But you would remember being angry, wouldn’t you?’
Suspect ‘Probably.’
Interviewer ‘I have to tell you, Mr Jones, that I think you are mistaken. Maybe you are
confusing this incident with another occasion and that you completed this
Suspect form by yourself. Isn’t that correct?’
Interviewer: ‘Maybe.’
Suspect: ‘And that your boss was not involved at all.’
[Silence] (The pivotal point)

Again, the exchange proves nothing, but it has forced the subject to change his prepared
story, and thus increases his anxiety and takes him a step further towards the pivotal point.

Truthful people are more likely to admit their emotions

FUTILITY OF ENDGAME STATEMENTS

Most liars do not plan their endgame, possibly assuming that the consequences of their
dishonesty will naturally go away. Thus some questions and statements should be directed
towards this vulnerability.

Example : ‘Mr Jones, you know that this is a very serious matter and that we will find the truth.
How did you expect all of this to come to an end? You didn’t think this through, did you?’