Investigative Interviewing
Interview Planning and Credibility Assessment for Law Enforcement Investigations
Learn a science-based approach to collect more relevant information, assess credibility, and make defensive decisions in investigative interviews.
Turning interviewing into a structured, professional skill.
This program is designed for law enforcement investigators who conduct investigative interviews as part of their professional responsibilities — including interviews with sources, suspects, and witnesses. It is relevant across intelligence and criminal investigation contexts at the local, state, and federal levels.
Trainee Groups Include:
Detectives and Investigators
Intelligence Analysts
Federal Agents
Criminal Investigators
Interview Specialists
Corrections Investigators
State Agency Investigators (tax, labor, regulatory enforcement)
Inspector Investigators
What you will learn
The class combines lecture material, case studies, and practical exercises. All participants receive a certificate of completion.
Plan for an interview using a structured tool
Use rapport-based interview techniques to increase information gain
Elicit a free narrative and develop a questioning strategy to meet interview objectives
Plan for the use of evidence during an interview using the evidence-framing matrix
Apply the rapport-based evidence presentation model
Use statement-evidence inconsistencies to assess credibility
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Duration: 16 hours
Format: In-person instructor-led
Professional Development Credits: 16 credits toward APP, CPP, PCI, and PSP credentials. Law enforcement agencies can apply these hours toward POST or state-required in-service training requirements as appropriate.
Prerequisites: Course 1 is a prerequisite for Course 2 — courses can be scheduled consecutively or separately
Research note: The REP Model was developed through collaboration with Dr. Christopher Kelly of Saint Joseph's University, including literature reviews, focus groups with practitioners from law enforcement, corrections, intelligence, and child protection, and systematic field studies using actual interviews.
This program is available for instructor-led delivery only and is designed for organizational enrollment. Connect with a member of the Second Sight team to learn more about this program, schedule your training, or request a quote. Volume pricing and bundle options are available.
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Threat Observation
This course equips learners with a research-validated, structured, repeatable observation process that strengthens systematic observation skills to identify behavioral threats. Participants will be able to distinguish benign behavior from deviations that may signal emerging concerns.
In-person and online versions of this course are available.
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Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement
In the Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement program, learners are provided a research-validated system for recognizing early indicators of threat, interpreting behavioral deviations, and clearly articulating professional judgment in ways that withstand legal and supervisory scrutiny.
In-person and online versions of this program are available. Includes the Threat Observation course.
Frequently Asked Questions
16-Hours | Instructor-Led | Law enforcement investigators
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This program is designed for law enforcement investigators who conduct investigative interviews as part of their professional responsibilities, including detectives, investigators, and others tasked with gathering information from adult subjects.
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This program equips law enforcement investigators with a structured, research-validated process for planning and conducting defensible investigative interviews. It teaches a structured, research-validated approach to interview planning and credibility assessment. Participants learn to apply the Evidence Framing Matrix (EFM) and the Rapport-Based Evidence Presentation Model to plan interviews strategically, disclose evidence in a structured sequence, and assess credibility.
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This program is currently offered in instructor-led format. Contact us to discuss delivery options and scheduling for your agency.
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Yes. The program is grounded in validated behavioral and investigative research, incorporating evidence-based principles consistent with current best practices in investigative interviewing. It goes beyond technique to teach a structured planning process that supports consistent, defensible interview outcomes.
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The core methodology is the same across all three versions. The LE version is specifically tailored to the legal context, documentation expectations, and case types most relevant to law enforcement investigators.