In many instances, law enforcement officers have limited opportunities to interview witnesses to crimes or interrogate suspects that are under arrest. It is crucial that officers obtain a truthful and accurate account of what occurred. This can be accomplished by strategically planning the interview and understanding the importance rapport building plays in obtaining a truthful statement.

The subconscious mind plays a critical role in detecting misleading behaviors during criminal investigations. When individuals are faced with stressful questions, they often rely on grooming gestures, posture changes, or other recognizable behavior changes that occur. This course will delve into the differences between the subconscious mind and the conscious mind and how the two often contradict each other when a suspect is being interviewed.  Officers should also recognize the importance of developing baseline behavior when conducting interviews. If the officer doesn’t know how the person behaves or responds when telling the truth, it will be difficult to detect deception. Detail information will be presented on proper ways to establish baseline behavior.

Deceptive behaviors often occur during criminal interdiction stops. Patrol officers learn how to quickly assess these behaviors to increase officer safety and to disrupt the transportation of contraband. Information will be presented on common Pre-attack indictors The instructor will illustrate various verbal and non-verbal indicators of misleading behaviors using video-recorded interviews of actual witnesses and suspects. Practical scenarios will also be used to reinforce the lecture.