Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Nathan J. Gordon (Author), William L. Fleisher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0123694906 | ISBN-13: 978-0123694904 | Edition: 2

Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques, Second Edition, is completely revised and updated building on the previous edition's groundbreaking search for truth in criminal and non-criminal investigations. The Second Edition contains all the information an investigator needs to know about obtaining answers from a witness, a victim, or a suspect and how to interpret these answers with the utmost accuracy. Highly illustrated, the chapters include several model worksheets and documents as well as complete instructions for using the authors' Integrated Interrogation Technique, a 10-point, highly successful approach to obtaining confessions that can stand up in court.

In addition, the Second Edition contains five new chapters which include coverage of false confessions, interviewing the mentally challenged, and the ethics of interrogation in a post 9/11 world. New material presents an extensive look at the Forensic Assessment Interview (FAINT), providing sample interviews and explaining how to rate levels of truth and deception in these interviews. The book concludes with an insightful look at the future of truth verification.

- Expanded coverage of Statement Analysis, including actual statements from real cases.
- New photos to aid in assessing nonverbal behavior.
- Added section on assessment of written statements.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The authors have described a very generalizable and useful interviewing technique that is easy to learn, simple to use, and can significantly improve the ability to discern truth from deception in a manner that is both interesting and engaging."
--J Police Crim Psych (2008) 23:45-47

Book Description

Now with expanded coverage of nonverbal behavior and assessment of written statements!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 2 edition (January 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0123694906
• ISBN-13: 978-0123694904
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #937,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece -- The Art and Science of Interviewing and Interrogation, May 15, 2006

By 

Howard Lebofsky (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques, Second Edition (Hardcover)

This book is the benchmark by which all other books on the art and science of interviewing and interrogation should be measured. It is truly a grand tour in every sense of the term. The text covers the greatest discoveries, techniques and practices in the field, and provides valuable insights by the authors, who are widely acknowledged experts and seasoned practitioners. The historical basis for truth-determining techniques is discussed at some length. However, the book really shines in its coverage of interviewing and interrogation theories and techniques developed over the past eighty years, paralleling the great advancements in law enforcement and psychology. The authors present a concise, insightful and balanced examination of the significant theories and theoreticians in the field, all the while drawing upon their substantial knowledge and expertise when evaluating and assessing the various theories and techniques discussed throughout the book. Their observations on interrogation ethics post 9-11 are thought-provoking.

Through words and illustrations the authors bring to life verbal and non-verbal truth/falsity indicators. The two subject areas that I found particularly interesting and useful were the Forensic Assessment Interview Technique ("FAINT") and the Morgan Thematic Apperception Testing Technique ("MITT"). Although these techniques are quite sophisticated, the authors' explanations and discussions are so clear and well-presented that virtually anyone will be able to understand and appreciate them.

Several reviews commented that the book is easy to read. While that is so, the simplicity and clarity of the text belie the considerable range and depth of thought and insight that went into this book. As such, I would advise readers to slowly digest the book, one paragraph at a time, if possible, and really give the text some thought. In doing so you will most likely gain a much better appreciation of the subject matter. As someone with an extensive law enforcement and legal background who thought he knew everything there was to know about interviewing, I can honestly say that this book really expanded my knowledge and appreciation of the subject.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The positive aspects of integrating interrogation techniques into clinical practice, November 9, 2007

By 

Kara Sandor Von Dresner "Kara Sandor von Dresner" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques, Second Edition (Hardcover)

"Effective Interviewing & Interrogation Techniques" provides an informative overview of detecting and understanding deception. The chapter on the psycho-physiological basis of forensic assessment outlines freeze/hide and fight/flight responses, as well as, basic respondant and operant conditioning. Additionally, question formulation and verbal/non-verbal communication are addressed in an easily understood method.

Forensic clinicans and psychologists would all tremendously benefit from obtaining the knowledge provided. Although, we do not interrogate patients, the use of these techniques will provide emotionally-charged information not yet disclosed by the patient, which can then be effectively integrated into conceptualization and treatment. This book provides skills essential to those treating patients with antisocial personality disorder and/or comorbid psychopathy. The proposed interviewing and interrogation techniques provide methods of assessment much less invasive and time consuming than typical projective (e.g. Rorschach) and personality (e.g. MMPI) measures.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well presented, April 6, 2010

By 

B. Veale - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I've never done much of this kind of stuff before I bought the book, but I must say that not only has it helped in finding when people are lying, it is a great read if you are just curious. The system can't be beat... even if you know what you should avoid.