What steps do you take to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information gathered in interviews?

Sample interview questions: What steps do you take to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information gathered in interviews?

Sample answer:

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information gathered in interviews as a forensic interviewer, there are several important steps that I take:

1. Establish rapport and create a comfortable environment: Building a trusting and supportive relationship with the interviewee is crucial. By creating a safe and non-threatening atmosphere, the interviewee is more likely to provide accurate and reliable information.

2. Conduct a thorough pre-interview assessment: Before the interview, I carefully review all available case materials, including police reports, witness statements, and any other relevant documents. This helps me gather background information and develop a clear understanding of the case, enabling me to ask targeted and informed questions.

3. Plan and structure the interview: I carefully plan the flow and structure of the interview to ensure it is systematic and comprehensive. This involves organizing the questions in a logical sequence and avoiding leading or suggestive questions that could influence the interviewee’s responses.

4. Use open-ended and non-leading questions: During the interview, I primarily use open-ended questions to allow the interviewee to provide detailed and unbiased information. Non-leading questions avoid influencing the interviewee’s memory or perception of events and help maintain the accuracy of the information gathered.

5. Active listening and observation: I pay close attention to the interviewee’s verbal and non-verbal cues, such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. Active listening allows me to pick up on inconsistencies, contradictions, or missing details, which can then be explored further for clarification.

6. Employ cognitive interviewing techniques: Cognitive interviewing techniques, such as free recall, context reinstatement, and multiple retrieval cues, are used to enhance the accuracy and completeness of the interviewee’s recall. These techniques help the interviewee retrieve and report information more effectively.

7. Document and record the interview: Accurate documentation of the interview is essential for preserving the information gathered. I use audio or video recording equipment to create an accurate and… Read full answer

   Source: https://hireabo.com/job/7_0_41/Forensic%20Interviewer