INTERVIEWS
Distance interviews do work
The busy fourth quarter may pull all of you in many directions. If your company allows, the telephone could be an investigator’s closest companion during this hectic time.
Below are some thoughts on conducting interviews via the telephone.
First and foremost, just because you’re on the telephone, don’t change your tactics. You’re still going to utilise what you’re familiar with when you sit face-to-face with an individual. You just take those same tactics and apply them to the phone, with some subtle, simple tweaks.
A couple of tactical tips would include:
• You want to have your subject on a landline whenever possible. You can then have your witness dial in on a
conference call. The reason we prefer to have someone on a landline is your voice is in their ear, which creates a
much more intimate and private conversation.
• On your end, begin your conversation on a speaker phone. There will be a point in the conversation where you will
transition from speaker phone to picking up the handset and create a sense of closeness, thus closing the gap
between you and your subject.
• Finally, use engagement techniques during the call. Say their name and ask a simple closed-ended question to
assure the subject is listening to you and evaluate their behaviour and changes in their demeanour.
by Chris Norris, CFI
Wicklander-Zulawski Europe
