Interviewing skills

We offer a wide variety of courses for interviewers. Formal interviews are broadly categorised under the following headings reflecting different procedural aspects and skills. We welcome the chance to work with customers to develop training programmes to suit specific needs. Please contact Xact

1. Interview under Caution (PACE)

  • Compliance with PACE (Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984) including use of recording media
  • The caution explained: Why and when to caution
  • What constitutes an interview?
  • Dealing with solicitors and pre-interview disclosure
  • Dealing with third parties e.g. appropriate adults, union representatives
  • PEACE model: Plan & prepare; engage & explain; account; closure; evaluation
  • Communication skills
  • Questioning skills
  • Managing exhibits and critical incidents such as comments outside interview
  • Understand Sections 72 and 76 PACE challenges to admissibility of evidence obtained
  • Interview summaries

Interview under caution enquiry

2. Investigative Interviews

  • What constitutes an interview?
  • Dealing with third parties e.g. solicitors, appropriate adults, union representatives
  • PEACE model: Plan & prepare; engage & explain; account; closure; evaluation
  • Communication skills
  • Questioning skills
  • Interview note-taking

Investigative interview enquiry

3. Witness Interviews

  • Dealing with victims and vulnerable persons
  • Cognitive interviewing
  • Communication skills
  • Questioning skills
  • Interview note-taking
  • Witness statement-writing
  • Hearsay evidence

Witness interview enquiry

Delivery

PowerPoint presentations, flipchart explanation, group discussion, individual tuition, case studies, syndicate work, interviews and practical exercises

Associated courses

Conducting investigations
PACE
Witness statements

Information service

Support information
Support information for investigators