Interviewing the Suspect Who Answers Questions

This chapter reviews the key stages in the effective, ethical, and professional conversation management of an interview where the suspect answers questions and provides an account. It starts by analyzing the reasons for their decision and then explores the phases of the interview. First, how to initiate an initial account and then how to develop that account covering all interview objectives — adapting technique to the level of detail provided by the suspect. The chapter then outlines how to deal with discrepancy between the account offered and other evidence, through a process called the FAIR review. Ultimately, the chapter offers guidance in interviewing the suspect who answers questions. It argues that answering questions is the riskiest option because the suspect cannot anticipate what you will say and does not know what you know.