ABSTRACT
In police interviews with suspects the role of each participant is clearly defined and restrained. These roles are very unequal, especially in terms of the distribution of power and control. The analytical emphasis is on the micro features of the interaction and its sequential organization. However, the identification of power and control as potentially significant factors in the chosen interaction owes much to Critical Discourse Analysis, which allows a wider consideration of the significance of the institutional context and the social identities and status of the participants. The significance of topic as a factor in the distribution of power and control in an interview setting is highlighted by Greatbatch in his study of news interviews. Power and control can always be challenged by the use of discursive strategies, regardless of the subject matter, the status of the participants, or any other factor.
