If I could go back and talk to my younger self as a new police officer, I'd have some words of advice: Slow down. Listen more. Police work is all about the interview (especially then!). When I started out, I wanted to chase and catch the bad guys. I wanted to clean up the mean streets and I was lucky enough to work in the same Patrol Bureau where I grew up. That meant something to me. If I am able to apprehend sufficient offenders and bring them into the county jail, I will h

Science-Based Interviewing (SBI) must come before Artificial Intelligence (AI) in policing. Pseudoscientific lie detection and accusatory tactics feed garbage into investigations, and AI will only amplify those errors. Evidence-based SBI—rapport, active listening, open-ended questions—produces reliable, information-rich statements. That’s the data AI can actually use to strengthen cases and build trust in the information age of policing.

Interviewing can be one of the most intimidating parts of an investigator’s job, especially for those who are new to their role. Whether...

For years, we’ve talked about interview and interrogation and legacy techniques were the standard. Too often, we have relied on these methods, which actually undermine our ability to gather reliable information. This is especially true in confession-driven approaches. The idea behind these tactics is that if a suspect denies involvement early, they’re less likely to confess later. But the problem here isn’t just the techniques; it’s the overall strategy. We’ve Science-based i

Success in high-stakes situations, such as criminal cases, compliance interviews, or HR investigations, requires more than just asking...

The single greatest problem in communication is the illusion it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw   When I read this quote this...

How can we tell whether a child died from co-sleeping or if she was smothered intentionally by a parent who had tired of her crying? How...

Given the unforeseen nature of conflicts in today's workplaces, including instances of workplace violence (WPV), de-escalation training...

In science-based interviewing, mastering the art of questioning is not just a skill—it's a necessity. How do you ensure that the...

Yesterday, I attended something called a Care Team Meeting. The weather was frigid and snowy, more suited to February in Minnesota than...

The Importance of Preparation in Interview & Interrogation Conducting a successful interview or interrogation requires more than just...

Test your interviewing knowledge with this interactive Science-Based Interviewing Crossword! Strengthen your understanding of rapport, memory, and funnel questioning—core skills for investigators, HR professionals, and interviewers who rely on evidence-based communication. Challenge yourself to think critically, reduce bias, and sharpen the questioning techniques that make interviews more accurate, ethical, and effective.

Interrogation is a term loaded with negative associations, often conjuring images of rapid questions, an aggressive tone, and a...

Literature’s greatest detectives remind us that effective investigations rely on science and intuition, not tricks or pseudoscience.

Detective Geyer’s relentless pursuit of justice unraveled Holmes’ web of deceit, leading to his conviction and execution.

Every October 28, we come together to celebrate National First Responders Day, a dedicated time to honor the relentless bravery and...

Frederick Porter Wensley stands as a towering figure in the annals of criminal investigation, renowned for his pioneering contributions...

During any investigation, the importance of what interviewing and interrogation methods an investigator uses cannot be overstated....

Red teaming is a game-changing strategy for detectives and investigators dedicated to enhancing critical thinking during investigations....

During investigative interviews, mastering the art of rapport is a crucial skill that will influence the success of any...