HOW KINESICS TECHNIQUES ARE USED IN CRIMINAL INTERVIEWS AND INTERROGATIONS.
How kinesics techniques are used in criminal interviews and interrogations.
Jennifer D. Smith
Research Methods in Criminal Justice / CCJ4700
Professor Donna H. Roguska
November 1, 2013
“Evasion is the indirect method of deception.” - Stan B. Walters (2000).
The importance of whether or not a criminal case is solvable depends upon the evidence obtained from the crime scene, witnesses, victims, and suspects. Many cases are never pursued or solved due to a lack of evidence retrieved during the interview and/or interrogation phase of a criminal investigation. One interview/interrogation technique is kinesics or the study of non-verbal body language. There are a variety of types of kinesics used. The use of kinesics techniques can be beneficial during criminal investigations by assisting an investigator to obtain information not voluntarily given by a victim, witness or suspect. Kinesics is a commonly recognized tool and is a standard focus in enforcement training. Utilizing these techniques provide investigators another facet to assist them in either uncovering pertinent information or dismissing unnecessary testimony, and in some cases can save lives.
In order for a criminal case to be pursued evidence is required to determine whether or not a crime has been committed. The first line of defense in pursuing evidence is to conduct interviews and possibly interrogations. Interviews involve asking questions and listening to a victim or witness; whereas interrogations involve a suspect from which an investigator is trying to obtain a confession.
An investigator can retrieve the most beneficial evidence by first identifying an individual’s personality type, and then develop the best strategy to obtain information. (Atkinson, n.d.) Building a rapport with a victim or witness puts them at ease and allows them to feel comfortable to share information – even if the information is personally embarrassing or difficult
Jennifer D. Smith
Research Methods in Criminal Justice / CCJ4700
Professor Donna H. Roguska
November 1, 2013
“Evasion is the indirect method of deception.” - Stan B. Walters (2000).
The importance of whether or not a criminal case is solvable depends upon the evidence obtained from the crime scene, witnesses, victims, and suspects. Many cases are never pursued or solved due to a lack of evidence retrieved during the interview and/or interrogation phase of a criminal investigation. One interview/interrogation technique is kinesics or the study of non-verbal body language. There are a variety of types of kinesics used. The use of kinesics techniques can be beneficial during criminal investigations by assisting an investigator to obtain information not voluntarily given by a victim, witness or suspect. Kinesics is a commonly recognized tool and is a standard focus in enforcement training. Utilizing these techniques provide investigators another facet to assist them in either uncovering pertinent information or dismissing unnecessary testimony, and in some cases can save lives.
In order for a criminal case to be pursued evidence is required to determine whether or not a crime has been committed. The first line of defense in pursuing evidence is to conduct interviews and possibly interrogations. Interviews involve asking questions and listening to a victim or witness; whereas interrogations involve a suspect from which an investigator is trying to obtain a confession.
An investigator can retrieve the most beneficial evidence by first identifying an individual’s personality type, and then develop the best strategy to obtain information. (Atkinson, n.d.) Building a rapport with a victim or witness puts them at ease and allows them to feel comfortable to share information – even if the information is personally embarrassing or difficult
References: Com101. February 17, 2008. Five types of kinesics. Retrieved from: http://amarit04.wordpress.com/2008/02/17/5-types-of-kinesics/ Navarro, Joe. April 9, 2011. Spycatcher. An ex-FBI agent on deception, espionage, interrogation, and reading people Schwartz, J. (2010, August 7). Posture & nonverbal communication. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/197390-posture-nonverbal-communication/ Temple-Raston, Dina. October 31, 2007. Lies as Plain as the Nose on Your Face? www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15791790 Walters, S. B. (2000). The truth about lying: How to spot a lie and protect yourself from deception