Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

According to the Reid Technique, the interrogator must be intelligent, with a
“good practical understanding of human nature.” 398 He should “get along well with
others, especially individuals from varying backgrounds.” 399 Patience and a “high
index of suspicion” are both important attributes, as is “an intense interest” in the
field of interrogation. 400 An interrogator should supplement this intense interest
with continual study of “behavior analysis, related areas of psychology and
psychopathology, as well as interrogation techniques. He should understand how
to conduct a proper interrogation and be able to explain…the underlying concepts
involved at each stage of the interrogation process.” 401 An awareness of the legal
regulations surrounding interrogation is also indispensable. 402 Because one
individual will perform the roles of both interrogator and interviewer, the authors
suggest that the interrogator needs all of the characteristics of a good interviewer:
a friendly, personable, nonjudgmental, and objective manner; a genuine curiosity
and concern about other people; the ability to separate the suspect from the crime;
comfort in asking questions; an “easygoing confidence;” and the ability to be a
good listener. 403 Beyond this, the interrogator should also have “the ability to put
aside any personal feelings” about the suspect, the ability to control his emotions
in all situations, comfort with “using persuasive tactics that may be considered
morally offensive,” and the ability to project confidence in both himself and the
path of the investigation and interrogation. 404 Finally, the Reid Technique requires
that the interrogator be a “skilled communicator,” with the “ability to monitor a
subject’s behavior and respond effectively to the dynamics of the situation.” 405
The other texts hew closely to the Reid requirements. Aubry and Caputo; Aubry,
Royal and Schutt, and Walters echo and flesh out some of the Reid requirements.
For instance, they suggest that the interrogator “must be possessed with a strong
desire to become a skilled and competent interrogator[,] and this desire must be
channeled into efforts which will culminate in capability.” 406 He must be confident
and comfortable in his own skin; 407 “a hesitant manner, fidgeting around in the
chair, stuttering and stammering, the use of profanity or vulgarity, and similar
mannerisms would all be considered objectionable.” 408 He must be personable and
able to relate to and get along well with others from all backgrounds. 409 He should be
intelligent and well-educated, and have an interest in and understanding of human
nature. 410 Indeed, Walters writes that the best interrogators are those “who have
398
Inbau, see note 109, p. 65.
399
Id., p. 66-67
400
Id. p. 66
401
Id., p. 66.
402
Id., p. 66.
403
Id., p. 66-67, 79.
404
Id., p. 78-79.
405
Id., p. 79.
406
Arthur S. Aubry, Jr. and Rudolph R. Caputo, Criminal Interrogation, 40 (1965).
407
Id., p. 40-57, 150; Robert F. Royal, Steven R. Schutt, The Gentle Art of Interviewing and
Interrogation: A Professional Manual and Guide (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1976), 65-66.
408
Aubry and Caputo, see note 406, p. 57.
409
Royal and Schutt, see note 407, p. 65-67.
410
Aubry and Caputo, see note 406, p. 41; Royal and Schutt, see note 407, p. 67.
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