INTERVIEWS
Risks of leaving your subject to sit alone
There are many seasoned investigators who prefer to leave their subject sitting alone in the interview room to think about what they have done. You know, get them to contemplate the consequences or wonder who the interviewer is speaking with and what decisions are being made outside of the room.
Like anything, this may be a successful tactic in some scenarios. However, it is not something that we would recommend or do ourselves.
Consider how frustrated you became with your doctor the last time you waited 45 minutes for them in the examination room? Why would you want to make your subjects frustrated with you before you even start your interviews? Remember, you are there to build a relationship, collaborate and share a human moment, not to manipulate or control.
Anytime your subject is left alone they have the opportunity to plan for the ensuing conversation and potentially create a false alibi or strengthen their resolve to deny their actions. After conducting a quick benefit analysis it is usually a much better choice to call your subject into the room when you are ready to start the interview and to remain with the subject until the interview is completed.
