Course description
Investigative interviewing is one of the key means of gathering evidence in support of a successful accident investigation. The ability to conduct effective interviews with a variety of different witness types is one of the core skills of an accident investigator.
Interviewing Techniques for Accident Investigators adopts a balanced curriculum of theoretical learning and practical sessions involving interviews of live witnesses, with video debriefing, to deliver a practical learning experience supported by the latest academic thinking in investigative interviewing.
The course is intended to build on the interviewing skills developed during the Fundamentals of Accident Investigation, Applied Aircraft Accident Investigation, Applied Marine Accident Investigation and Applied Rail Accident Investigation courses. However, it can also be attended as a standalone course for delegates who wish to gain an enhanced qualification in investigative interviewing, and would be particularly suited to delegates with previous experience of conducting investigative interviews.
The course will have an emphasis on interviews forming part of safety (no blame/just culture) investigations of generic transport accidents. However, its content will be equally applicable to accident investigators from other safety critical domains and high reliability organisations, such as healthcare, process industries, and energy utilities.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
All those involved in the investigation of accidents and likely to be involved in the interviewing of witnesses.
The course will have an emphasis on the safety investigation of transport accidents. Its content will also be equally applicable to investigative interviewing for other safety critical domains and high reliability organisations, such as healthcare, process industries, and energy utilities.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you will learn
- Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying interviewing theories, including memory theory and psychological factors affecting witness recall, and biases and heuristics of both witnesses and investigators.
- Describe and critically assess the most appropriate interview technique(s) to be adopted during an accident safety investigation to ensure the effective gathering of witness evidence, including cognitive/non-cognitive interview techniques.
- Develop an appropriate and effective interview strategy and plan to ensure the efficacy of the interview and optimise the gathering of the available information.
- Conduct an effective witness interview with regard to the selection of the most appropriate interview methodology, the welfare of the witness, the quality of the evidence collected and the accuracy of note taking.
- Develop an awareness of the characteristics of potentially vulnerable witnesses and the challenges faced when interviewing them.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct an effective self-critique of the interview process to ensure continuous performance improvement.
Training Course Content
Core content
- Refresher of the fundamentals of investigative interviewing:
- Basic principles of investigative interviewing.
- Basic interviewing models:
- Conversation Management.
- Conducting a PEACE interview.
- Use of different questioning techniques.
- Fundamentals of cognitive interviewing.
- Basic theory of memory and recall.
- Enhanced theory of investigative interviewing
- Enhanced theory of memory and psychology.
- SE3R methodology for managing and recording interviews.
- Introduction to concept of enhanced cognitive interviewing.
- Biases and heuristics – investigator and witnesses.
- Introduction to non-cognitive interview techniques.
- Preparation for the interview
- Assessment of witnesses’ emotional and psychological state.
- Awareness of the characteristics of potentially vulnerable witnesses and the challenges faced when interviewing them.
- Consideration of cultural, religious, social factors that may have an effect on the witness interview.
- Strategies for planning and structuring different interviews.
- Identification of the most appropriate interview technique.
- Conducting the interview
- Management of the initial phases of the interview.
- Implementation of the appropriate interviewing model in accordance with the interview strategy/plan.
- Adopting a strategy for recording witness evidence.
- Introduction to strategies for dealing with challenging/difficult witnesses, including obstructive and inappropriate behaviour.
- Identifying and employing appropriate challenge techniques.
- Dealing with other third party attendees at the interview, e.g. legal and trade union representatives, friends/family.
- Effective interview closure strategies.
- Post-interview phase
- Recording and summarising of the interview information.
- Strategies for conducting an effective self-critique of the interview process.
- Recording and summarising of the interview information.
Course delivery details
Course structure
Lectures and practical interview exercises. Interview sessions will be recorded and analysed in order to learn from each event.
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Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We have many world-class, large-scale facilities, including our own global research airport, which offers a unique environment for transformational education...