STAGES OF THE INTERVIEW  The interviewing model involves the following steps: PLANNING AND PREPARATION • Physical preparations • Case related preparations • Mental preparations INTRODUCTION AND BUILDING RAPPORT • Start recording • Engage and explain • Legal requirements • Reasons and routines FIRST FREE ACCOUNT • Introduction • Open TED-questions • Active listening CLARIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE • Theme structuring • Questioning • Strategic disclosure of evidence CLOSURE OF THE INTERVIEW • Summarize • Information • Positive closure • Stop recording EVALUATION OF THE INTERVIEW • The information • The investigation • The interview(er) Figure 1 – The P.E.A.C.E. model as visualized by the Norwegian Police University College in its training program C.R.E.A.T.I.V.1 1 The mnemonic CREATIV is linked to the values and principles the method is based upon: Communication, Rule of law, Ethics and empathy, Active consciousness, Trust through openness, Information and Verified through science. Inter-connected stages of the interview An essential point of investigative interviewing is that each stage of the interview has a profound impact upon the next. One may think of the interview as a chain reaction where thorough and systematic planning and preparation will increase the likelihood of successful rapport building, and in turn, with a professional introduction and rapport, the likelihood of a detailed, first free account also increases. If the first stage fails, communication will be impaired throughout the interview reducing the quality of the information obtained, and affecting the probing and strategic disclosure phases. Closing the interview professionally positively enhances the prospects for future successful communications. It also contributes to developing and maintaining good relations between the police and citizens. Carrying out professional evaluations of the evidence obtained will strengthen the possibility of a successful investigation. Evaluation of the interviewer’s performance will stimulate professionalism, improve outputs in subsequent interviews, and even increase job satisfaction. BENEFITS OF AUDIO AND/OR VIDEO RECORDING Many States have found it effective to audio and/or video record interviews, both as a safeguard against abuse, but also as a way to improve evidence gathering and for training purposes. Today’s technological advances, and access to easy-to-use and cheaper mobile technologies, means that recording is possible in many settings, and has many advantages, such as: • It reduces cognitive overload because it allows the interviewer to focus on the interview rather than typing all the information manually or taking notes. • Recording permits the interviewer to employ active listening strategies and improves communication with the interviewee. Consequently, the interviewee can provide their account without constant interruptions. • Recordings preserve the most important evidence – the oral evidence – in its original form. They produce a full and valid representation of the information provided and how the interview was conducted (they secure evidence and minimise miscarriages of justice). • Failure to record interviews, or failing to record the entire interview, can increase the scope for abuse or speculation of abuse. • Recordings can protect interviewers against false accusations of abuse, coercion or manipulation, or of failing to follow procedural rules. • Recordings can help organise and thereby analyse the information provided. There are software solutions for the latter available. • Recordings are great tools for evaluation and feedback on interviews, and for training and research, leading to a more professional police service. 4/12