Fundamental of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Page 1 of 5

Module 5: Types of Interrogation

Types of Interrogation
DIRECT – source is aware that he is being interrogated but may not learn the true
objective of the interrogator, likened to cross-examination in court. This type of is less
time consuming, thus frequently used.
Example: Interview
INDIRECT – obtaining information through deception extracting usable information from
a source without realizing he is under interrogation. This requires careful planning,
extreme discretion and skillful application. This method is frequently employed at the
higher echelons with selected sources that are thought to possess valuable information.
Interrogation Techniques
• Direct Approached
No effort to conceal the purpose of interrogation
• File and dossier
The interrogator prepared a dossier containing all valuables information about the
source organization  Futility Technique
The interrogator convinces the source the futility of resistance. Interrogator must be
aware of the source’s psychological and moral weaknesses.  “We know all”
This technique may be employed in conjunction with the file of dossier or by itself. The
interrogator must be thoroughly familiar with the available data concerning the source.
• Rapid Fire Technique
This technique involves a psychological ploy
• Incentive Technique
This technique is based on the application on direct physical discomfort upon a hostile
source but lacks will power. The source may display fondness of luxury items as he may
give or withhold such items at his discretion.
• Repetition Technique
Used to introduce to cooperation to a hostile force. In one variation, interrogator listen
carefully and then repeat both question and answer several times.
• Mutt and Jeff technique
Psychological ploy that takes advantage of natural uncertainty of the source.
• Pride and Ego Technique
The strategy of this technique is to trick the source into revealing desired information by
goading or flattering him. This is effective with sources that displayed weakness of
feeling inferiority.  Silent technique
This is employed against nervous or confident source by interrogator by saying nothing
and looking squarely in the eyes with a slight smile.
• Change of scene
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Module 5: Types of Interrogation

The idea in using this approach is to get the source away from the atmosphere of
interrogation setting, and maybe well effective to those who are apprehensive or
frightened types.  Established your identity
Interrogator insists that source was positively identified and wanted by a higher authority
on very serious charges.
• Emotional technique
Through observation, interrogator identify the dominant emotions that can motivate the
source like greed, love, revenge, hate or one of the many human emotions.
• Emotional Appeals
Place the subject in a proper frame of mind. The investigator should provide emotional
stimuli that will prompt the subject to unburden himself by confiding  Sympathetic
Approach
The suspect may feel the need for sympathy or friendship. He is apparently in trouble.
Gestures of friendship may win his cooperation.
• Kindness
The simplest technique is to assume that the suspect will confess if he is treated in a
kind and friendly manner.
• Extenuation
The investigator indicates he does not consider his subject’s indiscretion in a
grave offense.  Shifting the blame
The interrogator makes clear his belief that the subject is obviously not the sort of
person who usually get mixed up in a crime like this.
Criminal Interrogation
Types of offenders and approaches to be used in dealing with them:
a. Emotional offender has a greater sense of morality. They easily feel remorse
over what they have done. The best approach in interrogating this type of
offenders is the sympathetic approach.
b. Non-emotional offenders normally do not feel any guilt so the best way to
interrogate them is through the factual analysis, that is, by reasoning with the
subject and letting him know that his guilt has already been, or will soon be
established.
Interrogation of suspect whose guilt is decline or reasonably certain:
a. Maintain an attitude which shows that you are sure of yourself when you
conclude that the subject is indeed guilty.
b. The subject should be made aware of the fact that the interrogator knows
information indicating his guilt and that the interrogator is not merely “fishing” for
evidence.
c. Sympathize with the subject by telling him that anyone else under similar
conditions or circumstance might have done the same thing.
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Module 5: Types of Interrogation

d. Reduce the subject’s guilt feeling by minimizing the moral seriousness of his
offense.
e. In order to secure the initial admission guilt, the interrogator should suggest
possible reasons, motives or excuses to the subject.
f. Sympathize with the subject.
g. In encouraging the subject to tell the truth, display some understanding and
sympathy.
h. Point out the possibility of the exaggeration, have the subject situated himself at
the scene of the crime or in some sort of contact with the victim of the
occurrence.
i. Early in the interrogation, have the subject situate himself at the scene of the
crime or in some sort of contact with the victim of the occurrence.
j. Seek an admission of lying about incidental aspect of occurrence.
k. Appeal to the subject’s pride by well- selected flattery or by a challenge to his
honor. Flattery is especially effective on women subjects.
l. Point out the uselessness of lying.
m. Point out to the subject the grave consequences and futility of a continuation of
his criminal behavior.
n. Rather than a seek general admission of guilt, first, ask the subject a question
regarding some detail of the offense, or inquire as to the reason for its
commission.
o. When co-offenders are being interrogated and the previously described
techniques have been ineffective, play one against the other.

Topical Sequence in Interrogation A. Source’s Duties

- normally, the first topic for questioning should be concerned with determining the
current duties activities being performed by the source.
B. Sources mission or MO
- clues obtain from this will help the interrogator to determine their activities prior to the
information
C. Immediate area information
- the source will be most familiar with the activities, locations, or disposition of members
of their groups or of those he infiltrated in.
D. Supporting information
- everything the source contributes to the overall situation should be reported.
E. Hearsay information
- rumors and hearsay, may provide valuable information, however they must be labeled
as such in the report.
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Module 5: Types of Interrogation

F. Conclusion
- as a final step to the interrogation the interrogator should obtain additional
conclusions, statements, observations or evaluations from an especially qualified
source Termination of Interrogation
1. If the source is sick, elderly or wounded, the interrogator may be forced to
terminate the session or discontinue it until a later time.
2. The amount of information possessed by the force maybe so great that several
sessions maybe necessary to obtain all desired information
3. Attitude of the source may indicate termination or postponement. He may
become bored or refuse to cooperate.
4. All questions were answered and requirements satisfied
5. Interrogator loses initiative and decides to postpone the session.

Interrogation of Suspect whose Guilt is Uncertain

1. Ask the subject why is he being questioned.
2. Ask the subject to relate all he knows about the crime, the victim, and the
possible suspects.
3. Obtained the subjects detailed information about his activities before, during and
after the occurrence under investigation.
4. Where the certain facts suggestive of the subject’s guilt are known, ask him
about him rather casually and as though the real facts were not already known,
to give the subject an opportunity in lie.
5. At various intervals, ask the subject certain pertinent question in a manner which
implies that the correct answers are already known.
6. Refer to some non-existing incriminating evidence to determine whether the
subject will attempt to explain it, if he does, that is an indication of guilt.
7. Ask the subject whether he ever thought committing the offense or one similar to
it. If the subject admit that he had thought about committing it, this fact is
suggestive of his guilt.
8. In the theft cases, if the suspect offers to make restitution, that fact is indicative of
guilt.
9. Ask the subject whether he is willing to take a lie-detector test. The innocent
person will almost always immediately agree to take practically any test to prove
his innocence, whereas the guilty person will refuse or backing out of his
commitment.

Safeguard when Questioning a Hostile Witness

General suggestion regarding the interrogation of criminal suspects
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Module 5: Types of Interrogation

a. Interview the victim, the accuser, or the discoverer of the crime before interrogating
the suspect.

b. Be patient and persistent. Never conclude an interrogation at a time when you feel
discouraged
and ready to give up; continue for a little while longer.
c. Make no promises when asked, “What will happen to me if I tell the truth?” A
promise of leniency or immunity may induce and innocent man to confess.
d. View with skepticism the so called conscience-stricken confession.
e. When the subject has made repeated denials of guilt to previous investigators, first
question him, whenever circumstances permit, about some other, unrelated offense
of a similar nature of which he is also considered to be guilty

THE GOLDEN RULE OF INTERROGATION

Make him admit something, no matter how small or trivial. Usually the first
admission will lead to another. In securing the first admission is the
biggest stumbling block in dealing with tough