Science-based interviewing (SBI) is transforming modern investigations by prioritizing information over confession. Built on memory science and research-backed questioning, SBI produces more accurate, detailed, and cooperative interviews than legacy accusatory methods. Through humor and memes, this article highlights how SBI outperforms outdated tactics, improves case outcomes, and replaces pseudoscience with proven investigative practice.

What does trolling a teenager who loves Taylor Swift have to do with interrogation? More than you’d think. This article uses dad-level provocation, eye rolls, and pop-culture mischief to expose a serious problem in interviewing: tactics that rely on pressure, emotion, and reaction-hunting instead of listening. By contrasting accusatory methods with science-based interviewing, it shows why provoking people doesn’t produce truth—it produces noise.

Science-Based Interviewing gives law enforcement investigators and police executives a modern framework for gathering reliable information in today’s evidence-rich investigations. Built on research, not tradition, Science-Based Interviewing moves beyond confession-driven tactics and focuses on rapport, free narratives, and Strategic Use of Evidence. The result is stronger case context, fewer investigative risks, and statements that withstand legal, scientific, and community s

Science-Based Interviewing puts investigators back in control by grounding interviews in peer-reviewed research rather than intuition, tradition, or pseudoscientific lie detection. This article shows where to find open-access research on interviewing, interrogation, memory, deception, and false confessions—allowing investigators to read the evidence for themselves, verify claims, reduce investigative risk, and strengthen decision-making through transparent, evidence-based pra

Science-Based Interviewing focuses on gathering accurate, unbiased information—but some common questions quietly sabotage that goal. Self-handicapping questions like “Were you a witness?” embed assumptions that cause people to self-exclude, cutting off valuable information before it emerges. This article explains how these questions harm investigations, why they persist, and how open-ended, information-generating prompts protect investigative integrity.

Modern interview and interrogation training is failing because it still relies on accusatory methods, lie detection myths, and a confession-first mindset. Decades of research now show Science-Based Interviewing gathers more information, strengthens case integrity, reduces bias, and even increases confessions. It’s time to replace broken tools with evidence-based skills that actually uncover the truth.

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 discussed interviews and interrogations, and that legacy techniques were the standard. We have relied on these outdated methods for too long. In fact they 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

Success in high-stakes situations, such as criminal cases, compliance interviews, or HR investigations, requires more than just asking the right questions. It’s about asking the right questions for the right reasons, in the right way. That requires more than instinct or experience; it calls for strategic preparation. Integrating red teaming , setting clear interview objectives , and crafting a strategic questioning plan  can elevate any investigation from routine to remarkab

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.

Frederick Porter Wensley’s career at Scotland Yard offers enduring lessons for modern Criminal Investigation. Long before formal models or buzzwords, Wensley understood that information is the lifeblood of every case. His success came from patience, careful listening, and respect for evidence, not tricks or rigid systems. That same philosophy underpins today’s science-based approach: gather reliable information, avoid contamination, and seek understanding before conclusions.

Red teaming is a structured approach investigators use to challenge assumptions, counter confirmation bias, and strengthen investigative decision-making. Rather than reinforcing early conclusions, red teaming introduces disciplined skepticism, helping teams test working theories, evaluate evidence more critically, and explore alternative explanations. When applied intentionally, red teaming improves accuracy, reduces risk, and supports more defensible investigative outcomes.

Science-Based Interviewing represents a decisive shift away from confession-driven interrogation toward information-driven investigations. Grounded in psychological science, SBI prioritizes higher-quality information, ethical evidence handling, and reduced investigative risk—without sacrificing confessions. As states move away from outdated accusatorial practices, science-based methods offer a more reliable, defensible, & future-ready approach for public and private sector in

Investigators rely on memory as evidence, yet memory is vulnerable to distortion through post-event information and poorly framed questions. Research on the misinformation effect shows how leading questions, social influence, and timing can alter recall. Science-Based Interviewing (SBI) protects memory integrity by prioritizing early interviews, witness separation, free narratives, and the strategic use of evidence to gather accurate, reliable statement evidence.

Active listening is a core skill taught across all IXI negotiation courses and a foundational component of science-based interviewing. In crisis negotiations, it is a life-preserving tool that helps negotiators identify emotions, values, and unmet needs behind demands. By reflecting feelings and summarizing concerns, conversations shift from confrontation to problem-solving without coercion.

The High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG) serves as a critical interagency effort within the U.S. government, bringing together intelligence professionals, operational interrogators, and academic researchers to advance the science and practice of interrogation. Established in 2009 under the direction of Barack Obama, the HIG was created to ensure that interrogation practices are effective, ethical, and grounded in empirical research. Since its creation, the HIG has su

In the world of law enforcement, corporate investigations, and criminal investigations, the skills and strategies employed during interviews and interrogations are crucial for gathering reliable information and solving cases. This article presents an extensive glossary of terms, jargon, acronyms, and slang commonly used in these critical processes. It’s important to note that while some terms describe effective and ethically sound techniques, such as Science-Based Interviewin

Effective investigative interviewing is one of the strongest determinants of case success. Research shows that eyewitness and subject statements often shape whether cases are solved, making interview quality critical. Science-Based Interviewing (SBI) prioritizes information gathering over confessions or lie detection, using open-ended questions, active listening, and rapport to elicit more detailed, reliable accounts. This article explores how these evidence-based techniques