Crime Victim/Witness Interviews

Patrol personnel, detectives and follow-up investigators who question witnesses to and/or victims of crimes with the goal of obtaining accurate and reliable accounts about matters under investigation which can stand the test of a trial. The information gathered in interviews is tested against available facts. Well prepared questions clear up misunderstandings and ambiguities; and strategic disclosure of evidence during the interview helps to separate false information from facts that can be verified. As the interview comes to an end, the interviewing officer generally explains what will happen next by giving the interviewee appropriate information about the next stages of the process, e.g., telling witnesses whether they should expect to attend or testify in court.