Investigative interviewing strategies for relationship-based sexual crimes, 5 December 2024

 

A CPD event aimed at investigators and analysts working in a major crime role who want to develop a great understanding of contemporary issues and current guidance around investigative interviewing, of complainants,for relationship-based crimes.

 

The session will include a focus on:

• Understanding memory

• Understanding how to assess witness reliability

• Effective interview planning and prep

• ABE – effective complainant interviewing principles.

• Whole Story investigations and relevant evidence

• Enhanced cognitive interviewing and Whole Story

 

The event will be led by Professor Becky Milne and Dr Patrick Tidmarsh.

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Becky is an internationally renowned expert in forensic interviewing, who trains police forces in the UK, and around the world. With Ray Bull, she authored the landmark book, “Investigative interviewing: psychology and practice.”

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Beckyis Professor of Forensic Psychology at Portsmouth University. The main focus of her work over the past twenty-five years concerns the examination of police interviewing and investigation.

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Patrick is an internationally recognised expert on sexual offending and offenders, as well as a forensic interview advisor. He is the pioneer of the Whole Story approach that is central to Operation Soteria, a unique programme that involves police, CPS and academia working together to improve the criminal justice response to the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences.

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He now lectures and trains law enforcement across the world having spent more than 30 years working with thousands of sex offenders, including serial rapists and child molesters.

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Becky and Patrick are currently undertaking a research project, as a part of Operation Soteria, looking at current SOPs and outcomes in initial accounts and VRIs.

 

The critical role of investigative interviews in relationship-based crime

In relationship-based crimes, the complainant is often the only witness. Their story, and any evidence elicited in interview, will form the basis of any investigation. The task of forensic interviewers is, through victim-centred and trauma-informed practice, to elicit a complete, consistent, and coherent narrative of what has taken place. This will entail the elements of the offence, and all relevant contextual information from the abusive ‘relationship,’ particularly suspect behaviours, which may help fact finders determine what has taken place. Without an effective interview, investigators will not know the ‘Whole Story,’ and investigations will be ineffective and/or end prematurely.

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This workshop will look at the extensive research base around effective investigative interviewing, and look at how, within current guidelines of ABE, we can improve the effectiveness of complainant interviews in relationship-based crime investigations.

 

The Whole Story Approach

The Whole Story approach recognises that sexual-offending is often a relationship-based crime, whereby offenders use psychological coercion to "groom" their victims into compliance.

 

This technique provides investigators with a professional knowledge base to help them better contextualise the offence and gather evidence related to three important components of a sexual offence:

• Grooming, referring to information related to the process by which offenders manipulate victims into compliance.

• Unique signifiers, referring to the unique elements of each offending 'relationship'.

• Points of confirmation, referring to information gathering that will allow investigators to develop a better understanding of the unique and private dynamics of sexual offending narratives (of both the victim and the offender) and to gather broader and clearer contextual evidence with which to compare these narratives.

 

 The workshop will be held online via Teams. Certificates of CPD available.

 

HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £189.00 + VAT (GBP) per delegate (LEA and Government Agency rate).  £249.00+ VAT (Industry rate). 

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Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

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Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or use our booking form HERE

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Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card (corporate card fees apply + 3%). ​The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.