NCJ Number
45209
Journal
Security Management Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 26-30
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AN INDUSTRIAL SECURITY SPECIALIST DISCUSSED THE ETHICS, STANDARDS, AND STRATEGIES OF THE INTERVIEW AND INTERROGATION PROCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME.
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVE OF INTERROGATION IS SAID TO BE THE EXPLORATION AND RESOLUTION OF ISSUES, NOT NECESSARILY THE EXTRACTION OF A CONFESSION. EVEN A SUBJECT'S FALSE STATEMENT CAN BE HELPFUL TO THE INVESTIGATOR, BECAUSE SUCH A STATEMENT COMMITS THE SUBJECT TO A LIE, AND A LIE IS DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE METHODS OF INTERROGATION USED IN AN INVESTIGATION INVOLVING THE SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES OF AN OFFICER OF A MAJOR MANUFACTURER ARE CITED. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INVESTIGATORS' EMPHASIS ON PROTECTING THE SUSPECT'S CIVIL RIGHTS AND ON TREATING HIM HUMANELY THROUGHOUT THE INVESTIGATION IS POINTED OUT. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INTERROGATOR'S ATTITUDE IN BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS AND PRIVATE SECURITY WORK IS NOTED. INTERROGATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP THE FOLLOWING ATTITUDES: EMPHASIS ON SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH; SINCERE BELIEF IN THE VALUE OF THE INTERROGATOR'S WORK. SENSITIVITY TO THE EMOTIONAL STRUCTURE OF OTHERS; CONCERN WITH THE PRESERVATION OR HUMAN DIGNITY; AND THE DESIRE TO RESOLVE ISSUES. A DISCUSSION PROFESSIONALISM IN INTERROGATION POINTS OUT THAT THE INTERROGATOR IS MOST USEFUL WHEN HE IS A DISINTERESTED PROFESSIONAL. EVEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE INTERROGATOR SHOULD NOT BE THE ARRESTING OFFICER OR ANYONE WITH A SUBTLE INTEREST OR EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE CASE. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL INTERROGATOR ARE OUTLINED. (LKM)