Interviewing Witnesses and Suspects
Graeme Edwards · 2019
This chapter provides a general introduction to the interview and its structure. When the safeguards have been provided and investigators are ready to begin the interview, start with the basics to establish who the interviewee is and their relevance to the investigation. Being able to answer questions they are comfortable with also allows them to build up their confidence. As the interviewee's confidence builds, more evidence-related questions can be asked. Allowing the interviewee to talk about what is important to them is a valuable way of opening the main body of the interview process. The witness/suspect may have valuable information they wish to disclose and are looking for the first opportunity in the interview to disclose it. When a cybercrime is very serious, investigators may contact their police cybercrime experts for advice and they may (depending on resource available) be prepared to take their complaint at once.