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Conducting Tough Interviews 259

REASONS FOR LYING

If you believe the suspect is being deceptive, you should ask him if there are any reasons, other
than the obvious, why he is not telling the truth (Table 7.24).

Example : ‘Joe, it is obvious to both of us that you are not telling the truth. I think it is because
you [took the money], but is there any other reason why you are not being truthful with me?’

Table 7.24 Most likely reactions to being asked the reason for lying

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt
Committed response that he is telling the truth Hesitancy then a pseudo-denial that he is lying

PREVIOUS TROUBLE

Ask if the suspect has been in trouble before (Table 7.25).

Table 7.25 Most likely reactions to being asked about previous trouble

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt
Will deny that he is in trouble
Probably ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but he accepts that he is
currently ‘in trouble’

ASK WHOM HE CAN CLEAR OF SUSPICION

Ask the suspect to give the names of people he is sure are not responsible for the act in ques-
tion (Table 7.26).

Table 7.26 Most likely reactions to being asked who is not responsible

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt
Will immediately name himself Will not immediately name himself

ASK TO PROVIDE ELIMINATION SAMPLES

In forgery cases, ask the subject to provide a specimen of his normal handwriting and ask him
to copy the forged signature, 10 or 12 times (Table 7.27).

Table 7.27 Most likely reactions to being asked to provide elimination samples

Reactions indicating innocence Reactions indicating guilt

Will look carefully at the forgery and make a Will not look closely at the forgery and will make
genuine attempt to copy it a poor attempt