Interview Technique & Taking a witness statement

Important: Interviewing Techniques and Law of taking a witness statement for affidavit. Article below.
The notes below are guidelines for effective psychology of interviewing for legal evidence purposes. See article.
People Searching database tools were invented in 1995 with the arrival of a very smart online investigative web-
tool: - NetDetective Plus 2008.

TECHNIQUES: 'DOWN & DIRTY' SEARCH TOOLS THAT P.I. PROFESSIONALS USE:

Article Re: Interviewing Techniques and Taking a Witness Statement: Affidavit

Witness Statements: GUIDE *Set the person at ease. Explain the reason for taking statement. *Obtain permission of party to interview. *Clearly identify the witness and yourself and the date, time and location of the interview. *Use a friend to practice on. Visit with or hire an experienced former or retired homicide detective. *Ask the attorney if they want an audio or video recording. If video, have the camera set up before the person gets there, and even though he/she will know they are being recorded, have the camera out of their view as much as possible so they don't focus on it. *In the beginning, audio record the attorney's instructions as well. *Digital recorders are better than tape, as a tape can run out. Also, you can forward the digital file electronically to your client. *Don't put the witness on edge; don't be too polished, but be prepared. *Interview them on their turf. However, if you want to maintain more control, interview them on YOUR turf, and seat them away from where they can see an exit. *Do a lot of smiling and make eye contact. Establish rapport before starting the interview. For example, "I see you were in the military, so was I . . . what branch were you in?" *If they seem nervous, you can make them feel at ease by owning that emotion as well, for example say, "I'm sorry, I'm feeling nervous right now". *Ask the attorney for a list of questions they want answered. Also, remember: what, where, when and why? Know the goal of the interview. *Never promise anything. *A key is to really listen to the answer and loop your questions back based on the answers you get, staying within the framework of what you are attempting to find out. *Ask, "Is there anything else I should have asked you that I haven't?" *Also, ask if there is anyone else you should get in contact with . . . how can you get in touch with them? *Also recommended was John Reid & Associates interviewing techniques. Also recommended was Don Rabon's books on interviewing (Google this) *See more great info on this subject at www.pimall.com

Interview Technique use a high tech lookup tool for amateur 'Net investigators and professionals!