NCJ Number
64019
Journal
Archiv fuer kriminologie Volume: 161 Issue: 586 Dated: (MAY-JUNE 1978) Pages: 168-182
Date Published
1978
Length
15 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS IN INTERROGATION AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WITNESSES IN INVESTIGATING PARTICULAR CRIMES ARE OUTLINED TO ASSIST INVESTIGATORS IN EVERYDAY PRACTICE.
Abstract
IN HOMICIDES AND CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS IN GENERAL, INTERROGATION OF WITNESSES CAN REVEAL PERSONAL CONFLICTS OR INTERESTS WHICH MAY HAVE MOTIVATED THE CRIME. IN THE CASE OF THEFT, WITNESSES' STATEMENTS PROVIDE BOTH DETAILS REGARDING THE COURSE OF CRIMES AND ALIBIS OF SUSPECTS. INTERROGATION OF WITNESSES IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR FRAUD, AS APPREHENSION OF A SUSPECT IS USUALLY ONLY POSSIBLE AFTER DETERMINATION OF A PARTICULAR METHOD OF OPERATION, OF LIES BY THE SUSPECT, OR OF RELEVANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION. LIKEWISE, WHITE-COLLAR CRIMES CAN ONLY BE UNRAVELED AFTER CRIMINAL TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED, AND OFTEN THE EXISTENCE OF A CRIME CAN ONLY BE CONFIRMED THROUGH THIRD PARTIES. INTERROGATION FOR SEXUAL CRIMES IS PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE BECAUSE THE FREQUENT INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN AND OF PERVERSE PRACTICES NECESSITATE VERY SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE AND INTENTIONS OF OFFENDERS. FOR ARSON CASES STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES FREQUENTLY FACILITATE EXCLUSION OF NEGLIGENCE AS A CAUSE. FACTORS RELATING TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS SUCH AS INTOXICATION OF NEGLIGENCE AS WELL AS DETAILS OF COMPLICATED TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AND HIT-AND-RUN CASES ARE OFTEN REVEALED IN THE COURSE OF QUESTIONING. FINALLY, DETERMINING FALSE ARREST OR FALSE REPORTING OF A CRIME REQUIRES CORROBORATION OF ALL STATEMENTS BY SUSPECTS. THE TECHNIQUES OF INTERROGATION MUST BE GEARED TO THE TYPE OF CRIME AND THE ROLES OF PARTICULAR WITNESSES, AND THE INTERROGATOR MUST BE AWARE OF THE WITNESSES' CIRCUMSTANCES AND RELATIONSHIPS BEFORE QUESTIONING THEM. NOTES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)