8 Tips to Conduct Successful Witness Interviews

1. 8 8 Tips to Conduct Successful Witness Interviews Tips to Conduct Successful Witness Interviews To maximize the effectiveness of investigative interviews, investigators should build rapport with the witness and maintain professionalism. Investigation processes often require conducting a successful witness interview to obtain full and accurate information. Interview transcription services help to promote accountability on the part of both interviewer and interviewee. Reliable services free the investigator of taking detailed notes and focus on actively listening to the witness. Certain challenges in conducting interviews can limit interviewer and witness’s performance and lead to ineffective communication, affecting the client’s interest. Here are some expert tips to conduct successful investigative interviews – www.legaltranscriptionservice.com 918-221-7810

2. Build rapport Introduce yourself by telling the interviewee your name and who you represent Explain the reason for the interview Be friendly and establish rapport at the outset Follow good telephone etiquette to draw out useful information Show dignity and respect Treat interviewee with respect and dignity Behave in a polite and courteous manner Avoid threats as it can be counter-productive and have disastrous outcomes Prepare for a productive interview Have a clear idea about the goals of the investigation Develop a proper plan to achieve those objectives Know what information is needed to understand Make a list of the key points and review the discussion Avoid investigative jargons Phrase the questions in an easy-to-understand manner Avoid using investigative jargon or technical terms to avoid confusion Ask simple, direct questions to prevent negative connotations Inform the witness to keep their comments confidential Choose an interview style Be flexible and use an interview style that will suit the witness Adapting your style to suit the witness can create a good impression Use a conversational style instead of conducting the interview like a deposition Let the witness to speak free, but in control Allow the witness to speak free to bring forth important information www.legaltranscriptionservice.com 918-221-7810

3. Facilitate a discussion of the topics that are relevant to the case Ask open-ended questions that promote conversation Follow-up with questions that clarify the witness’s statements At the same time, don’t let the discussion go off tangent Active listening Good listening involves much more than simply hearing the witness’s voice Active listening helps analyze the witness’s choice of words, tone, and body language Maintain professionalism Always project a professional image, beginning with your attire With the permission of the party/parties involved, investigative interviews can be audio-or video- recorded. Investigators can use audio-recordings to improve the efficiency of the investigation process by proving that the interview was conducted in an appropriate manner and the witness provided the information of their own free will. An experienced provider of audio transcription services can help investigators produce accurate notes, allowing them to save time and focus on learning the truth. www.legaltranscriptionservice.com 918-221-7810