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Interviewing Techniques

The document outlines the principles and techniques for interviewing victims and sources, emphasizing the importance of preparation, sensitivity, and the protection of vulnerable individuals. It details the objectives of interviews, the necessary steps before, during, and after the interview, and the specific information to be collected. Additionally, it highlights the challenges faced when interviewing victims of trafficking and the need for empathy and careful questioning.

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10 views23 pages

Interviewing Techniques

The document outlines the principles and techniques for interviewing victims and sources, emphasizing the importance of preparation, sensitivity, and the protection of vulnerable individuals. It details the objectives of interviews, the necessary steps before, during, and after the interview, and the specific information to be collected. Additionally, it highlights the challenges faced when interviewing victims of trafficking and the need for empathy and careful questioning.

Uploaded by

murungijoshuakoojo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Interviewing victims

and sources
Objectives

• Understand some basic principles and


techniques of interviewing
• Understand how interviewing, contributes
to informing analysis and strengthen
protection
• Understand some of the sensitivities and
challenges of the information gathering
process, through an interview role play
exercise
Why we interview sources

A common task of a field officer for


collecting information.
Examples:
• Reporting human rights abuses for follow-up
• Reporting problems that need referral
• Assessment processes
• Verifying information or analysis
• Other?
Preparation
 Research: Know all you can – about the
person and the situation – before talking to
a vulnerable witness or a victim
 Choice of interviewers: how many, language
skills, cross-cultural differences, gender
 Interpreters: selection, protection
 Location: privacy, safety
 Recording the interview - notes
The Interview (1)

Opening the interview


• Introduce yourself, mandate, reasons for
interview
• Confidentiality – informed consent
• Rapport building

Narrative statement
• Let person speak, be patient
• Appropriate body language
The Interview (2)

Specific questioning
• Questions for clarification
• Ask for specific details
• Avoid leading questions

Concluding, keeping in contact


• Mechanisms to keep in touch
• Follow up meetings
Protection of victims/witnesses

• Does the victim/witness think s/he is in danger?


• What measures could protect the victim/witness?
(means to stay in contact, for example)
• Do not focus attention on the victim/witness
• Select a place with minimal surveillance
• Never refer to a victim/witness when
interviewing another
• Keep records at a secure location
After the interview
As appropriate to the situation and needs
• Protection of the witness
• Referral for service provision
• Write the report
• Advocacy
• Other follow-up?
Interview report
Reconstruct the interview
• Prepare notes immediately after the interview
• Structure the information in the best way to be
communicated
Assessing credibility
• Identify the information that is based on personal
experiences
• Consider the possibility of the witness being traumatised
• The time sequence may not be clear
• Is the information trustworthy?
• Evidence of the reliability of the witness?
• Consistency of the details provided, etc
• Corroborate information
Interviewing victims and sources

INVESTIGATION SPECIFICITIES
Why we interview sources
The main task for investigators to collect
information is for:
• Dismantling the Organized Crime Groups
(OCG)
(Modus operandi, Who, When, Where …)
• Protection of Victims
• Prevention
Interviewing vulnerable people
• Prepare the room/premises appropriately (to ensure privacy)
• Separate victims from each other and victims from suspects
• Create a setting focused on the individual (what nationality?)
• What language does the person speak? Where was the person
picked up? How old does the person claim to be? How old
does the person appear to be?
• Get a doctor to see the person
• Do not begin the interview by doubting the person’s
statement
Interviewing vulnerable people
CONSEQUENCES OF TRAFFICKING ON BEHAVIORS
• The “freezing” reaction
(defensive, passive acceptance of his/her exploitation,
ignorance regarding his/her rights to protection and
assistance)

• Dissociation
(victims can cope with the abuse they endure)

• The aggressive reaction


(Victims can react aggressively or with hostility towards
people who offer help).
The Interview
Specific questioning for investigators:

• Ask specific questions to materialize the


offence
• Be substantial
• leading questions are sometimes necessary
• If the conditions are there, only one
interview

But stay empathic!


The Interview
Do’s

• Introduce and explain the context and the objectives of the


interview (protection measures, investigation and prosecution
process);
• ask if the victim prefers speaking with a man or a woman other
than your own;
• be ready for any emotional reaction on the part of the victim;
• Consider if necessary the support of a “third” person who could
“mediate” with the victim (a linguistic interpreter; a psychologist,
particularly with minors or with victims of sexual abuse);
• Beware of your body language !
The Interview
Dont’s

• do not use questions which already contain answers, or


suggestions regarding the content of the answer;
• do not try to interpret the emotional reactions just observe
them.
Information to be collected during
the Police investigation interview
Field of investigation
• Methods of recruitment
• Methods of movement and reception at destination
• Juridical status at destination: management of the identity
documents of the potential victim
• Freedom of movement and communication
• Violence exercised or threatened
• Intimidation
• Working conditions (including the provision of sexual
services)
• Daily living conditions
CIVIL STATUS OF THE PERSON

• Surname, First name


• Date and place of birth
• Identity given verbally by the person
• Formal identity provided by the person
• Nationality
• ID documents shown
• Document references
• Home address in home country
• Telephone number
• Marital situation
• Parents/children
• Conditions of arrival on national territory

• Date of arrival:

• Transit country prior to arrival

• Methods of transport

• Time spent travelling:

• Residence document valid at time of arrival:

• Who transported the person?

• Was the person alone?


Recruitment methods:

- False advertisement
- Promise
- Untruthful statement
- Seduction
- Abduction
- Buying
- Threat on family and friends
• WHAT DOES THE VICTIM INTEND TO DO?
• Time to think
• Make a formal complaint
• Ask for emergency accommodation
• Return to the home country (with or without
repatriation assistance)
• ask for regulation of status to stay in the
country/apply for asylum
• Contact a victim support association ? If yes, which
association?
Protection of victims/witnesses

AS POLICE OFFICERS REMEMBER YOU HAVE


A ROLE TO PLAY TO INITIATE PROTECTION
PROCESS

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