The key to getting a suspect or witness to talk is really not that difficult when you really think about it. I have read more than a dozen papers on the subject, including how to interview suspects by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the US Army that over complicates the process and tends to confuse people with a lot of psychological gobbly gook!
I have even read a CIA interrogation manual, which gave some of the worst advice you can image. Whoever wrote it was seriously mentally ill in my opinion.
See article: US: Vote on CIA Torture Report a First Step Senate Committee Should Declassify, Release Full Document http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/04/03/us-vote-cia-torture-report-first-step
Keep it simple!
The key to a successful interrogation or interview is to make the suspect or witness “like you.”
You basically want them to think of you as a friend, as well to think of your relationship as something that he or she is willing to invest time and emotion in.
Good listening skills are critically important, you also want to let that person speak without interruption. being rude or abusive is counter productive. Torture is just way out of line!
See video: Interrogation of Osama Bin Ladin’s drive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp5o8BPJk-I
Some basic techniques, are really common sense, when you think about it.
For example you want to greet them with a genuine smile.
You also shouldn’t go into an interrogation or interview anyone and lose your nerve, or for that matter have a prejudice as to their guilt or innocence.
You also want to remain perfectly calm and try to find the truth and not try and prove your right or morally superior. This is very difficult for most people, especially cops and intelligence officials, who often time want to play games like “good cop, bad cop.”
See police interviewing techniques http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt_rnt7wbbI
Interviewing a witness at an unsecure location:
If your not in a secure facility, when conducting an interview – make sure you survey your surroundings very carefully for two reasons.
1) To make sure there is no danger present.
2) And to build a relationship with that individual, based on mutuality and respect.
Be observant – most people, especially in their homes and offices surround themselves with what is important in their lives. Look for something that can give you common ground. For example, an interesting hobby, passion, or motivation, looking for what makes their lives worthwhile and meaningful.
Find the common element in their life, that important to them so you can build rapport. That may mean petting their dog or cat for five minutes, talking or playing with their children. If you can make friends with their child the mom will be your friend as well.
Talk to the suspect about their life and what interests them. Be charming and engaging in the conversation. Ask intelligent questions.
Note: Once you have succeeded in talking about their life and problems you have succeeded in subconsciously tying yourself to that part of what makes their life meaningful.
Your now a real person with a tie to a part of their life.
Once you have established that bond of trust and mutuality, the witness, suspect, client will tell you everything you want to know, as long as your questions don’t violate or break that bond.
If they smoke let them have a cigarette.
Engage them in conversation, which will invariably lead to them talking about their life and about frustrations in life and personal problems.
See: Police Interviewing techniques – Police beating of Homeless man http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_hivslQiE8
Interrogation
Generally speaking the suspect in a crime or interrogation will never tell you the situation is their fault, which may or may not be true. That some outside force or circumstance made them do it.
In the end about 80% of people will usually confess to the act themselves, if given the chance to do it, while being allowed to save face and not be judged.
Torture, like I said never works, its a bad idea from the get go! You don’t need coercion, so much as you need genuine concern for the suspects troubles in life.
Check yourself!
Ask a question that you already know the answer to. That way you can gauge their truthfulness and willingness to answer you questions correctly.
Reward them for being honest with you and cooperating with you in the investigation by telling them thank you. Give them an opportunity to add something, or clarify some point, you may still be unclear on.
Repeat back what they say, by way of paraphrase so they know your listening to them carefully and have their side of the story correctly in your mind.
If you can provide them with food or water, medical assistance or care.
Inform them what is going to happen next. Remember they are under enormous stress already.
If they are to go back to their holding cell, wait with them until the officer or guard enters the room. Then politelyintroduce the officer and tell them they will escort them back to their cell. If they are required to be handcuffed, explain this is for both the officers and their safety, and is protocol in such situations and its nothing personal.
Make sure the cuff are not on too tight by checking yourself and asking the suspect if they are not on to tight, or they need them loosened a bit.
That way you leave them with that bond of trust intact.
See violations of Geneva Convention in regard to Prisoners of War treatment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwQmEqmC2k8&list=PL2UYEPLJ-qtonZmaX_5s0JcQgvdp_s9Mz and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkA8pDjVU_o&list=PL2UYEPLJ-qtonZmaX_5s0JcQgvdp_s9Mz
See: Video Russell Williams full murder confession http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLJzNpVrcGU