Customer Reviews

Essentials of the Reid Technique: Criminal Interrogations and Confessions (Criminal Justice Illuminated)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you cannot afford the expensive course given by Reid, or your agency is too "thrifty" to spend the money to send you, this book will give you a thorough overview. The technique is explained very well in two sections- the first part provides a synopsis of interview and interrogation essentials in some detail. Distinctions between Inerviews and Interrogations; Obtaining facts; the Interview Room; Investigator Attitude; Starting Interviews; Formulating Questions; Behavioral Analysis of Truthful and Untruthful Subjects. The second part explains the nine-step technique Reid has developed and perfected over years of use by many agencies. Written for a general reader, the writing avoids legalese and is well illustrated. Highly recommended!

As a school administrator, I find the information on interviewing and interrogation helpful in getting to the bottom of issues I previously have not been able to solve. The questioning techniques and the observation of behaviors presented in this book enable me to allow my students to tell the truth and help to solve their own issues. The resolution of these issues and the breaking down of lies and cover-up behavior is the first step to helping students make better decisions. This book is an invaluable resource in that regard.

I used this for a training manual for my new hires as private investigators, it is hands down one of the best books ever written on interviewing and interrogation techniques. Even the experienced people were raving about the information in it. Can't ask for better than that!

"The Essentials of the Reid Technique," is just that...the essentials. This book gives a down and dirty review of the techniques used to interview and interrogate crime suspects. It's easy to read and understand and is a good refresher for those who have taken the Reid course.

Even though this is a watered down version of the Reid Technique program it is still well worth the money. The subjects that are covered are very well done considering the length of the chapters. If you are entertaining the idea of paying to go to the full blown class but your not quite sure than buy this book to build up your appetite.

High school teachers and administrators should read this book. It is very helpful in discussing how to conduct an investigation, interviewing tactics, and ways to get at the truth. The hardest part of an investigation is to distinguish truth from fiction and this book gives numerous helpful suggestions on how to do this. I wish I had read this earlier!

I bought this book because of the controversies surrounding police interrogations. After reading this book I feel that my confidence has been restored into the practice of these techniques. As mentioned in the back of the book- most false confessions are drawn through illegal techniques, pushing juveniles too hard, or the the more mentally fragile nature of those with low I.Q or questionable mental health history. False confessions will always rare, and most confessors are indeed guilty. In fact, confessions are not always used in court- the act of confessing brings more evidence to light for the police who can use that to prosecute and not overly rely on a confession.

I can see however- for minor infractions especially- that those with previous criminal histories are more likely to confess to a crime they did not commit because they would feel their record or lack of a solid alibi would be enough for a jury to believe.

This book has gotten me very interested in interrogations. I feel that should I ever end up in the hot seat- I would know what would be happening. Hopefully, I'll never commit a crime and actually be guilty! I would recommend this book to anyone interested in police interrogation- especially lay people.

This book provides all the necessary information on one of the most common forms of interview and interrogation used by law enforcement agencies. I bought it, I have read it thoroughly and also used it to write a final paper in a law enforcement class I was taking.

The course, which is a necessity for having the qualifications needed to utilize this technique, is expensive. I have not and do not plan on taking the course. I promise all the necessary information is right here in this book.

Law enforcement as a rule does not like to see this type of manual out in the public simply because a suspect, armed with the knowledge of what is coming during an interview, can easily outwit them.

I say buy it and use it.

For most seasoned investigators, the book provides a confirmation of "street wise" tactics. For the less experienced, the book is a very good guide, but real-life practice is key.

This is a must as a basic or go for the full version if you have time to read the "brick".

One of the best written books about essential elements of interviewing and interrogation, easy understood.