The cognitive interview is a game-changer for law enforcement professionals, offering them a powerful tool to enhance their investigative...

There is no evidence without an interview. During any investigation, evidence does not simply exist; it is unearthed and given meaning...

Interviewing is data collection. In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are revolutionizing various sectors,...

A quick history and legacy of the Wickersham Commission and how it helped change criminal justice and interrogation.

In law enforcement and investigative work, acronyms are more than shorthand—they shape how information is shared, interpreted, and acted upon. From incident command to interviewing and evidence handling, understanding common law enforcement acronyms helps reduce miscommunication, improve clarity, and support sound decision-making. This reference breaks down frequently used terms to help investigators, analysts, and leaders better navigate the complex language that influences

Introduction False confessions are one of the most perplexing and consequential phenomena in criminal justice. They raise critical...

How the active listening skill of reflecting helps increase rapport and information disclosure.

False confessions persist because flawed assumptions go unchallenged. This article uses red teaming to critically test the belief that innocent people never confess, exposing how coercive tactics, bias, and psychological vulnerability undermine investigations. Grounded in research and real-world cases, it shows how Science-Based Interviewing (SBI) and key assumption checks strengthen critical thinking, protect memory and decision-making, and produce more reliable, ethical inv

Confirmation bias is predictable—but not unavoidable. Left unchecked, it distorts interviews, weakens investigations, and jeopardizes outcomes. Science-Based Interviewing (SBI) offers a practical path forward by using red teaming to challenge assumptions, test hypotheses, and counter confirmation bias and other cognitive errors. Through structured critical thinking, SBI strengthens objectivity, protects case integrity, and supports ethical, evidence-driven decision-making.

Red Teaming is critical thinking on purpose. It deliberately challenges assumptions, confidence, and early conclusions to strengthen investigations before decisions harden. While this may feel counterintuitive, it helps investigators check themselves and reduce bias before interviews, evidence interpretation, and case direction are shaped. When paired with science-based interviewing, Red Teaming improves information gathering, decision quality, and investigative integrity.

The misinformation effect shows how easily memory can be altered by post-event information, language, and suggestion. Research by Elizabeth Loftus demonstrates why Investigative Interviewing must avoid leading questions, premature evidence disclosure, and interviewer opinions. Science-based investigative interviewing practices protect memory integrity, reduce contamination, and ensure statements remain reliable, corroborated, and defensible in court.

At IXI we know that active listening is a critical skill that is proven to enhance your personal and professional relationships. Active...

Active listening is a communication technique that has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in fostering understanding and...

Investigative interviewing today stands at a crossroads, split between two fundamentally different approaches: information-gathering and...

Open-ended questions are foundational to science-based interviewing because they elicit free narratives that reveal unknown unknowns—information investigators could not anticipate or know to ask about in advance. These narratives allow investigators to be surprised, opening new lines of inquiry, better follow-up questions, and more case-relevant data than closed or leading questions ever produce.

National Police Week, American History and Significance of National Police Week Each year, tens of thousands of police officers, family members, and supporters from across the United States and around the world travel to Washington, D.C. to observe National Police Week . This annual event holds deep meaning for the police profession, honoring local, state, tribal, and federal police officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. National Police Wee

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process. It also ensures grand jury indictments and fair compensation for property seized under eminent domain. These rights are crucial in criminal cases, especially during interrogation, where protections like Miranda warnings safeguard suspects from coercion and uphold justice.

Science-based investigative interviewing is the modern standard for truth-seeking. Interviews remain the primary engine of information gathering, beginning with patrol and continuing through complex investigations. Rapport and active listening are not “soft skills” but high-stakes tools proven to increase cooperation and disclosure while reducing error. Great interviews discover evidence, expose contradictions, identify witnesses, and provide vital context. Information is the

Brown v. Mississippi marked a turning point: confessions obtained through brutal interrogation violate due process and are inadmissible.