Strategies in an Interview

The presumption of every interview should be thatinterview. Some interviewees are not willing to
the interviewee has information and material that iscooperate because they have their own fear. In
pertinent to the case. The investigator's task andthese instances, the investigator should play the role
intent should be to obtain all that information. Thereof a listener and attempt to calm the person by
are 4 strategies for private investigator in anplaying the role of a protector or benefactor.
interview.4. Empathy is the feeling associated with emotional
1. Ask the interviewee to narrate the series ofidentification with another person. When used
events in his own words. Investigators should analyzecorrectly, the mutual care that results will ensure the
the interviewee's behavior and body language forfree flow of information. The interviewer should
clues to authenticity and honesty. The investigatorfollow these guidelines: appear sincere, use a very
also must try to express understanding with theunderstanding approach, and be careful to hide
interviewee. A nod or smile will help communicatenegative feelings or lack of compassion for the
with the interviewee.interviewee.
2. Questions for interviewee should be kept simple5. Remember never to talk beyond the understanding
and easy to understand. And the interviewee shouldof the person. Defining the purpose of the interview
be allowed to tell the whole story once withoutat the beginning of the conversation will help get the
interruption. If he stops, nod your head or repeat arelationship off to a good start.
word that was used to stimulate him or her intoFinally, remember that you responsibility is to gather
continuing.the facts. Although there are many interviewing
3. Be a good listener. According to differenterrors, these are the two most common that you
circumstances, the investigator must be willing andmust avoid, first, the interviewer does not allow the
able to play different roles that are required, in orderinterviewee to tell his own story, and the interviewer
to promote the most open response to thetalks too much.