Revised 12/2010

ADJ 240 - Techniques of Interviewing (3 CR.)

Course Description

Provides the student with essential skills and techniques necessary to obtain quality information from victims, witnesses, and suspects, regarding criminal activity. Emphasizes locations and settings for interviews, kinesics, proxemics, and paralinguistics of both the interviewer and interviewee. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with an overview of and practice in the components of an effective and legal interview and interrogation process. Course Prerequisites/Co-requisites None

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Distinguish between the steps of the interview and interrogation
• Create an effective interview strategy and interview room arrangement
• Explain the major components of nonverbal behaviors of truthful and deceptive persons
• Explain the major components of verbal behaviors of truthful and deceptive persons

Major Topics to Be Included

• Preparation and strategy of an interview and interrogation
• Legal aspects of the interview and interrogation
• Interpretation of verbal, nonverbal, and physical behaviors of interviewees
• Effective interview conclusions

Optional Topics

Related topics at the discretion of the instructor