Evaluating the effectiveness of a 5-day training on science-based methods of interrogation with U.S. federal, state, and local law enforcement investigators.

Abstract

As accusatorial approaches to interrogation in the United States have increasingly come under scrutiny, interest in science-based methods of interviewing and interrogation has risen. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of a 5-day science-based interrogation course delivered by the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group to U.S. federal, local, and state law enforcement investigators. Core aspects of the training included the use of productive questions, developing interrogator-suspect rapport, and conducting a cognitive interview. Ninety investigators who participated in the training submitted pre-and posttraining recordings of real-world suspect interviews. As hypothesized, investigators increased their use of science-based approaches after training and decreased their use of unproductive questions. Training did not influence how frequently they employed customary accusatorial techniques. Using a path model analysis, we also explored the relationships between use of science-based techniques and accusatorial approaches on the key outcome variables of cooperation, information disclosure by the suspect, and confession. We found positive indirect effects of training on cooperation and information disclosure via the use of science-based approaches. Moreover, science-based approaches were positively associated with increased cooperation and information disclosure and, indirectly, confession rates. In contrast, accusatorial approaches were associated with increased use of suspect counter-interrogation strategies and decreased cooperation and information gain. Implications for future training programs are discussed.

Interviewing and interrogation practices and beliefs, 20 years later: A national self-report survey of American police.

“…Thus, it is difficult to relate our self-reported data to actual observation. However, several studies have successfully evaluated the effect of training evidence-based interviewing techniques on investigator interviewing practices (e.g., Brimbal et al, 2021; Russano et al, 2024; for a review, see Russano et al, 2019), showing that if officers are trained in science-based interviewing, interviewing practices and outcomes improve.…”

“…In addition, several government-sponsored science-based trainings for law enforcement were created and are now in practice. For instance, the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG), founded in 2009, developed an investigative interviewing model and funded training studies for both federal and local law enforcement to facilitate the dissemination of research and science-based practices to practitioners (Meissner et al, 2017; Russano et al, 2024). The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) has also provided science-based training to federal and local law enforcement in the United States (https://www.fletc.gov/advanced-interviewing-law-enforcement-investigators).…”