Interview Techniques & Interrogation Methods Flashcards

What does the acronym 'PEACE' stand for in the context of investigative interviewing models?

Answer: Prepare, Engage, Account, Clarify, Evaluate

The PEACE model (Preparation, Engage and Explain, Account, Closure, Evaluation) is an evidence-based, non-coercive investigative interviewing framework.

During an interview, a subject suddenly crosses their arms, avoids eye contact, and gives shorter answers after a specific question. An agent should:

Answer: Note the behavioral change and explore the topic further with follow-up questions

Behavioral changes may indicate stress or sensitivity to a topic and warrant further exploration, but no single behavior reliably indicates deception.

What is the primary difference between an interview and an interrogation in law enforcement contexts?

Answer: Interviews are information-gathering conversations while interrogations are accusatory and seek confessions

Interviews are non-accusatory information-gathering sessions, while interrogations are accusatory conversations designed to elicit confessions from suspected perpetrators.

An agent conducting a voluntary interview with a cooperative witness who is not in custody should:

Answer: Conduct the interview without Miranda warnings since custody is absent

Miranda warnings are only required when a subject is in custody AND subject to interrogation; voluntary, non-custodial interviews of witnesses do not require Miranda.

Which interviewing principle involves allowing comfortable periods of silence after a question to encourage the subject to continue speaking?

Answer: The pause technique

The pause technique uses deliberate silence after a response to create pressure that often prompts subjects to fill the silence with additional, sometimes revealing, information.

When documenting an interview, which practice best preserves the integrity and accuracy of the subject's statements?

Answer: Recording verbatim quotes and noting the exact wording used by the subject

Recording verbatim quotes preserves the exact language used by the subject, which is critical for accuracy, legal proceedings, and detecting inconsistencies.