Empathy Based Suspect Interviewing – Part 1

Duration
90 Minutes

Originally Aired
October 23, 2019

This webinar is the first in a 2-part series that will dive into the history of suspect interview techniques in the United States and the motivation behind the development of confrontational interviews. The presenters will discuss how empathy can enhance a sexual violence suspect’s willingness to talk in an interview, resulting in enhanced potential for confession and increased opportunity for corroboration and leads. Participants will learn about the benefits of using a “soft” interview room and look at the research behind current use of empathy-based suspect interviewing. Participants will also learn about a prosecutor-specific strategy for suspect interviews that requires suspects to “flip their perspective” about an event and answer questions from the victim’s view. These unexpected questions then lay the foundation for the development of a successful cross-examination at trial.

Please note: This is the first in a 2-part series of presentations on Empathy Based Suspect Interviewing. If you want a more general overview of the topic, please register for the 90-minute session on Empathy-Based Interrogation (EBI).

Empathy Based Suspect Interviewing – Part 2

Empathy-Based Interrogation (EBI)

Objectives

As a result of this webinar, participants will be better able to:

• Explain the concept of empathy and its value in sexual assault suspect interviewing.
• Develop interview themes that lend themselves to a suspect be willing to talk to an investigator.
• Recognize why having a conversation is much more successful than a confrontational interview in soliciting confession.
• Develop “perspective-flipping” questions with a prosecutor in order to lay a foundation for a successful cross-examination at trial.