Investigator Tips

Current Investigator Tip

Limitations of Eye Witness Testimony

Mar 18, 2024

In our legal system, judges, attorneys, juries and witnesses diligently strive to uphold ethical standards, best practices, and to stay informed of court and legislative decisions that impact the judicial process. Despite...

Previous Tips

Interrogation of Hamas-Inspired Terrorists

Dec 19, 2023

During his Congressional testimony on December 5, 2023, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated “Given the steady drumbeat of calls for attacks by foreign terrorist organizations since October 7, we’re working around the...

What Do False Confession Experts Say in Their Reports?

Nov 28, 2023

The following represents the type of observations, assessments and opinions Dr. Richard Leo (and other social psychologists) offer/include in their reports and testimony when they are acting on behalf of the defendant...

A Closed Claim is a Good Claim

Nov 27, 2023

The saying in the insurance claims business is, “A closed claim is a good claim”. In the race to get to the finish line, we sometimes take shortcuts that can cost costly...

Persuasion Tactics for Migrants Committing Crimes

Nov 07, 2023

According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), “There were more than 2.8 million migrant encounters from January through August, 2023.” (USA Today, September 30, 2023).

Furthermore, CBP Chief Raul Ortiz said there...

How do you respond to false confession experts presented by the defense? (updated Nov '23)

Oct 20, 2023

Over the years we have received a number of emails that have stated essentially the following:

I am an investigator with the (agency name). A few years ago a coworker and myself...

The Disingenuous Testimony from Social Psychologists About the Reid Technique

Jul 11, 2023

Richard Leo, and other false confession experts (oftentimes social psychologists), have testified that “there is a consensus in the scientific community that the techniques taught by the Reid method sometimes lead to...

A General Outline of Richard Leo's Testimony on False Confession Issues and Reid Responses

Jul 05, 2023

A General Outline of Richard Leo’s Testimony/Followed by Reid Responses

The following are examples of the testimony Richard Leo has made in a number of cases and our responses to his statements.

...

Reid Policy on the Use of Deception During an Interrogation

Jun 26, 2023

Reid Policy on the Use of Deception During an Interrogation

Preface

There is a distinction between a court of law and the court of public opinion. In recent years several states have...

What False Confession Experts Say About the Reid Technique and Our Responses

Jun 16, 2023

The attached document, "What False Confession Experts, Defense Attorneys and Academicians Say About the Reid Technique and Our Responses," includes the following topics:

The Purpose of an Interrogation"Guilt Presumptive" ProcessHow Social Psychologists...

Clarifying Misrepresentations About Interrogation Techniques (updated May 2023)

May 19, 2023

Over the years social psychologists, defenses attorneys, and some academicians have
offered a number of criticisms of current law enforcement interrogation practices, and, in
particular, the Reid Technique. Some of...

Iowa Supreme Court - Use of Deception Did Not Negate the Defendant’s Waiver of Miranda Rights

May 02, 2023


State of Iowa v. Gowun Park, Iowa Supreme Court, No. 21-0756, January 27, 2023.

SUMMARY

The court in this case noted that the our legal system tolerates some deception by...

The Reid Technique: International Research and the Value of Behavior Symptom Analysis

Apr 27, 2023

Part One: International Research Validates the Core Elements of the Reid Technique

Over the years numerous international research studies have been conducted on the Reid Technique – here are a few that...

The Courts: Acceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors

Apr 25, 2023

The Courts: Acceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors

Over the last 20 years we have published numerous court decisions on interrogation issues in an effort to keep our audience up to date...

The Courts: Unacceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors

Apr 20, 2023

The Courts: Unacceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors

Over the last 20 years we have published numerous court decisions on interrogation issues in an effort to keep our audience up to date with...

Court Decisions Regarding Juvenile Interrogations/Confession Admissibility

Apr 18, 2023

As noted in our Investigator Tip, The Courts: Unacceptable Investigator Interrogation Behaviors, over the last 20 years we have published numerous court decisions on interrogation issues in an effort to keep our...

The Truth About the Research Social Psychologists Use as the Basis for Testimony Regarding False and/or Coerced Confessions

Mar 06, 2023

The Truth About the Research Social Psychologists Use as the Basis for Testimony regarding False and/or Coerced Confessions

Social Psychologists, Defense Attorneys, Academicians, and Law Enforcement interrogation critics oftentimes refer to research...

Benefits of Complimenting a Suspect During the Interrogation

Jan 15, 2023

There are many elements that lead to a successful interrogation. One such element is the level of rapport and trust the investigator can develop with the suspect. One way to develop rapport...

Interrogation and Confession Judicial Decisions Organized by Subject Matter

Oct 24, 2022

For many years we have published on our website and through our newsletters legal updates of cases which address relevant interview and interrogation issues. In this 504 page document we have attempted...

Investigator’s Response to a Subject’s Challenges During Interviews and Interrogations

Oct 14, 2022

This article is a follow-up to last month’s “Investigator Tip” which discussed how an investigator’s own bearing and demeanor may affect the outcome of an investigative interview or interrogation. This article expands...

Investigators' Demeanor During Interviews and Interrogations

Aug 10, 2022

This article explores how an investigator's own bearing and emotional self-control promote mutuality of respect with even the toughest of subjects and enhance the productivity of every questioning session.

The ability...