Interviewing High Value Detainees: Securing Cooperation and Disclosures

Abstract

Four types of coercive and noncoercive interview strategies (legalistic, physical, cognitive and social) used to facilitate disclosure by high value detainees were examined in an international sample of practitioners and detainees (N = 64). Predictive analyses confirmed that the accusatorial approach was positively correlated with physically coercive strategies (r s = .58) and negatively with forms of social persuasion (r s = À.31). In response to social strategies, detainees were more likely to disclose meaningful information [odds ratio (OR) = 4.2] and earlier in the interview when rapport-building techniques were used (OR = 14.17). They were less likely to cooperate when confronted with evidence (OR = 4.8). Disclosures were more complete in response to noncoercive strategies, especially rapport-building and procedural fairness elements of respect and voice. These findings augmented past theory on interactional processes and the evidence-base of international best practices in suspect interviews.

Science‐based interviewing: Information elicitation

“…Although definitions of rapport vary widely (e.g., Army Field Manual 2-22.3, 2006; Grahe & Bernieri, 1999;Kleinman, 2006;Tickle-Degnen & Rosenthal, 1990), it is commonly (and internationally) acknowledged to be fundamental to successful interviews (e.g., Fisher & Geiselman, 1992;Goodman-Delahunty, Martschuk, & Dhami, 2014;Gudjonsson, 2003;Redlich, Kelly, & Miller, 2014;St-Yves & Meissner, 2014). Rapport is assumed to include elements of mutual attention (indicated by good listening), coordination (the degree to which the conversation is "in-sync," which might be reflected in verbal or nonverbal mimicry and matching motivational frames), and positivity (a generally pleasant demeanour; Abbe & Brandon, 2012.…”

Drawing the fine line between interrogation and torture: towards a Universal Protocol on Investigative Interviewing

“…Goodman-Delahunty, Martschuk, & Dhami (2014) propose classifying interrogation methods in legalistic, physical, cognitive and social strategies that can be either coercive or non-coercive (Table 2).…”

Torture does not work

“…In fact, there is evidence showing that non-coercive forms of interrogation are much more effective than coercion 3,4,5 . For example, Goodman-Delahunty and colleagues 3 interviewed 64 law enforcement practitioners and detainees from five different countries, who were involved in high-stakes cases, mainly in alleged acts of terrorism. They found that reported confessions and admissions of guilt were four times more likely when the interrogators adopted a respectful interview strategy that aimed at building rapport with the detainee.…”