ABSTRACT
Interviews can provide information unobtainable from other sources and give investigators unique insights into critical operator errors. Their value is undeniable and nearly all investigations rely heavily on interviews. Yet many investigators conduct interviews poorly, largely because they do not recognize that interviewing, like other aspects of investigations, calls for unique skills. Experienced interviewers understand that the conduct of an interview can affect its outcome. No information collected in an investigation is as susceptible to variations in investigative technique as are interview data. The interviewees selected, the questions asked, and the interviewing methods used, are just some of the elements that can affect interview quality. This chapter will examine interview quality and discuss methods to enhance the quality and quantity of interview information.
