Introduction
Interrogations and interviews are important in criminal investigations since they allow the police and the investigators to obtain vital information from the suspects. The procedure and the nature of questions asked are just but a few factors that influence or contribute to the success of the interrogation process or procedure. Initial preparation is very important since it allows the person conducting the interview to have everything set in advance in order to minimize some obstacles that may contribute to the failure of the interview. Owing to the importance of a successful interview and the sensitive nature of the same, the importance of a suitable physical environment cannot be overemphasized (Vessel, 2009). Bent on that, this essay shall discuss the set up of an interview room.
According to Bennett, Hess, & Orthmann (2006) an ideal interview room should not only enhance privacy but should be free of all the interruptions. In that case, it would be important to ensure that there are no visible movements and disruptions like noise aught to be minimized as much as possible. In addition, it is important to restrict movement into and out of the room and telephone use should be curtailed. The number of people present is also an important factor. In an ideal case it is only the suspect, his attorney and the interrogation officer who ought to be in the room. It is important to have two officers in the room because by so doing, it is possible to prevent the suspect from putting up any false allegations.
As much as there are contentions concerning how an interview room should be furnished, it is important to avoid anything that may interfere with the process of an interview. In that case, the room should be furnished sparingly to avoid disrupting the questioning process. In most cases, furniture is limited as there are only three chairs one for the integration officer and the other two for the detective and the suspect. Chairs should be placed facing each other and the space between the two should be four to five feet apart as studies of Criminal Interview, Interrogation, and Confessions (2010) indicate. Some officers maintain that having a desk or table in between is unnecessary as it serves as psychological protection to the suspect which is a hindrance to the whole process.
There are materials which are very important during the process of the interview. Although materials in an interview room need to be minimal, such materials cannot be done away with since some of them are used for recording purposes. However, the materials need to be placed in appropriate places where they cannot interrupt the process. All objects of evidence which are inclusive but not limited to pens, note books, audio and or visual recorders should be stored away from suspect’s sight and should only be used at the appropriate time. If possible, such materials should be kept in drawers and should only be used only when necessary. It is important to note that some investigator prefer a furnished room as they argue that studies have indicated that such an environment stimulates a suspect to speak due to increased comfort. On the same note, some investigators still argue that a sparingly furnished room may inflict fear to the suspect as it may resemble jail (Bennett, Hess, & Orthmann, 2006).
Layton (1998) illustrates that interviews and interrogations are not easy but with the right environment and circumstances, the exercise ends up being successful. In summary, studies indicate that the interview room should be set in a way that it can reduce comfort and increase suspect’s dependence. In addition, the room should create a sense of exposure, isolation, and unfamiliarity and the same is achieved by having a small, sound proof room with only three chairs. Although the chair of the interrogator and the suspect should be placed to face each other, the other chair of the detective can be paced at a table in a place where he can monitor even the non verbal responses of the suspect usually using the mirror. However, it is important for only one interrogator speak with the suspect as having many may complicate the process. The main aim of criminal interview and interrogation is to influence the suspects confess to the crime and when carried out correctly, it usually ends up being successful as studies indicate that 42% to 55% of suspects confess to crime during the process (Layton, 1998).
References
Bennett, W. W., Hess, K. M. & Orthmann, C. M. (2006). Criminal investigation. Stamford: Cengage Learning.
Criminal Interview, Interrogation and Confessions . (2010). Retrieved September 6, 2010, from http://colbycriminaljustice.wikidot.com/interview-and-interrogation
Layton, J. (1998). How Police Interrogation Works. Retrieved September 6, 2010, from http://www.howstuffworks.com/police-interrogation.htm/printable
Vessel, D. (2009). Conducting Successful Interrogations . Retrieved September 5, 2010, from http://www.crimeandclues.com/index.php/testimonial-evidence/46-interviews-and-interrogation/80-conducting-
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