Interviewing and Interrogation for Law Enforcement.

There is an abundance of material that suggests techniques for conducting effective interviews and interrogations. Interviewing and Interrogation for Law Enforcement is a new resource that offers much valuable insight for veteran and novice investigators alike.

The presentation is crisp, comprehensive, and well organized. Readers will appreciate that the delivery also is refreshingly efficient - every word counts, and at 109 pages, the book easily can be read in one sitting. Despite the wealth of information presented, however, the tone is conversational and direct. In fact, like any good interview, the book reads like a conversation with a purpose.

The author, a former FBI special agent, who spent 12 years as an instructor at the FBI Academy, draws upon his considerable experience - both as a field investigator and as an instructor - to impart the kind of practical advice all investigators wish they had received before their first investigations. Equally important, he uses his gift as a storyteller to relate many of the lessons he learned from officers who attended the FBI National Academy courses that he taught. Indeed within the first several pages, readers quickly feel that they are learning from some of the most talented practitioners in the field.

The book is divided into three sections, consisting of three chapters. The first section focuses on interviewing. In a particularly interesting chapter on demeanor, the author discusses the attributes of adopting an at-ease and confident air during interviews. A comparison of the interview styles demonstrated by two fictional law enforcement officers - Deputy Barney Fyfe and Lieutenant Columbo - serve to reinforce many of the points the author makes. Much of what the author shares about interviewing is commonsense advice made more compelling because it is presented in the form of case studies, anecdotes, and quotes. Among the many memorable statements, "Think of each interview as a first date and leave nothing to chance."

The second section deals with detecting deception. Much of the discussion focuses on the ability of investigators to recognize the "symptoms" of dishonesty by posing leading questions to subjects and noting changes in their demeanor. This section also summarizes what investigators should look for in nonverbal behavior and discusses the study, and practical value to interviewers, of neurolinguistics.

The book's third section focuses on interrogations. The three chapters in this final section lay a strong groundwork for conducting sound interrogations. The author explains effective ways to make an accusation, deliver the "sales pitch," avert denials, and ensure that a subject is listening. The discussion also stresses the importance of finer points that help lead to confessions - such as establishing trust with a subject and conveying competence during interrogations. As it does throughout the book, attention to detail comes through in the form of some thoughtful housekeeping advice, in this case suggestions for setting up the interrogation room and using props during interrogations.

Each chapter concludes with a suggested reading list that reflects the author's broad grasp of the subject matter. The lists provide suggestions especially helpful to readers interested in learning more about such concepts as the cognitive interview, nonverbal communication, effective listening, and neurolinguistics.

A common myth pervades law enforcement that effective interviewers are born, not made. This book has as much merit for seasoned investigators as it does for those who have never conducted an interrogation before. The book provides easy-to-use techniques that any investigator could adopt to enhance their skills in these areas. Interviewing and Interrogation for Law Enforcement should be required reading for all recruits and detectives.