This Thanksgiving, Don’t Let Your Interviews Be the Awkward Relative

Every Thanksgiving has that relative. The one who shows up three hours late with a mystery casserole, tells a story that starts in 1994 for no apparent reason, forgets half the plot halfway through, and then somehow circles back to a point nobody asked about. Some investigation interviews feel exactly like that relative, only without the casserole. Before you dive into the holiday season, make sure your interviews are not the chaotic guest who turns your fact-finding into a maze. A few intentional changes can transform an interview from confusing and unpredictable to organized, steady, and genuinely informative.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Investigation Interviews

1. Rapport multiplies performance.
   A few minutes of genuine rapport building create a foundation of trust. When interviewees feel comfortable, they share more detailed and accurate information. Those first minutes are an investment that pays off throughout the interview.
2. Body language won’t reveal a lie, but it will reveal comfort.
   Body language is not a lie detector. What it can reveal is whether a witness feels at ease with what they are saying. Discomfort cues can guide you toward helpful follow-up questions and areas where an interviewee may need more time to clarify thoughts.
3. Memory gaps often reflect retrieval problems, not missing information.
   When a witness says he or she can’t remember, the information may still be there. They may need a better path to retrieve it. Cognitive interview techniques, including the approaches within the TapRooT® 12-Step Interview Process, improve the likelihood of accessing those memories.
4. Asking for a reverse-order account can strengthen the interview.
   Having a witness describe events in reverse order increases cognitive load. This often produces additional details for an honest witness and exposes inconsistencies for someone fabricating information. Used carefully, backward recall is a helpful tool.
5. Note-taking can build trust when handled openly.
   Many witnesses become uneasy when they see an interviewer writing. Address this from the beginning. Explain that you will take notes and will review them together at the end. Following through on that reassurance reinforces transparency and trust.

Interviews Are Only One Part of Evidence Collection

Even a strong interview has limits. If a witness is reluctant or unable to provide information, remember that you have multiple avenues for gathering evidence. Good investigations rely on a balanced mix of interviews, observations, document reviews, equipment checks, and other methods outlined in TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis.

Strengthen Your Investigation Skills with Online Training

Our self-guided course helps you improve your evidence collection and interviewing techniques in a focused 3 to 4-hour format. Once you register, you have fourteen days to complete the course at your own pace.

You will learn practical skills you can apply immediately to collect evidence, organize information, and conduct more effective interviews.

Learn more and register: TapRooT® Evidence Collection and Investigative Interviewing Techniques