Investigative Interviewing - Forensic Interview Techniques

In this review of Investigative Interviewing: Adopting a Forensic Mindset, the reviewer finds a practical, courtroom-focused textbook for investigators and forensic professionals who need a disciplined, ethical approach to witness and suspect interviews. The single biggest reason to buy is its clear insistence on replacing the interrogative, confession-seeking mindset with a documented, best-practice forensic methodology that produces admissible, reliable statements. This book is a reviewer's pick for readers who want legal context and usable planning guidance rather than theoretical psychology alone.

Key Features

• Forensic mindset: Emphasizes adopting a forensic interviewer mindset that prioritizes evidence integrity and ethical standards during all stages of an interview.
• Interview planning: Offers a straightforward, practical approach to planning interviews so investigators can set objectives and preserve information for tribunals.
• Technique guidance: Details interview techniques that aim to obtain truthful accounts while avoiding coercive interrogation tactics that undermine admissibility.
• Case law coverage: Summarizes relevant case law concerning confessions so readers can understand how courts evaluate interview-derived statements.
• Ethical focus: Advocates eliminating the term interrogation to reduce confession-obtaining pressures and encourage defensible, transparent practice.

Who It's For

This book is best suited for law enforcement investigators, public defenders, prosecutors, forensic interviewers, and criminal justice students who need a clear, applied guide to interview planning and the legal implications of confessions. The practical orientation makes it useful for training officers who must document interviews that will withstand court scrutiny.

Practitioners seeking deep academic psychology or experimental research on memory may want a supplemental textbook, as this volume centers on applied procedure, ethics, and case law rather than laboratory studies or broad theory.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a practical, ethics-driven framework that helps protect the integrity of evidence and confessions.
• Links interview techniques directly to relevant case law, clarifying what courts expect for admissible statements.
• Offers clear planning guidance so interviews are purposeful and better documented for tribunals.

Cons

• Does not focus on experimental memory research, so readers wanting academic depth in cognitive theory will need other sources.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Investigative Interviewing is a solid, value-oriented choice for anyone who conducts or oversees interviews that may be used in court. Its forensic mindset and legal framing make it especially useful for investigators and attorneys who need defensible, ethical techniques rather than abstract theory. For applied practice and courtroom readiness, it is a recommended reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover legal standards for confessions?
Yes. The text details relevant case law and explains how courts evaluate confession evidence.

Is this suitable for training new investigators?
Yes. Its practical planning and technique guidance make it appropriate for training and policy development.

Does it include psychological research on memory?
It focuses on applied techniques and legal context more than laboratory memory research, so supplementary readings may be useful.