Oral Presentation: Defence representatives in interview – A pain in the **** or an aid to interviewing? A view from the dark side.

Title: “Defence representatives in interview – A pain in the **** or an aid to interviewing? A view from the dark side.”

Abstract:

This presentation highlights the level of understanding of legal representatives as to the different techniques of Investigative Interviewing and the perceived impact, if any, of their presence and, where it occurs, intervention by legal representatives on the effectiveness of the interviewers’ questioning.

Having used a questionnaire of a number of legal representatives I demonstrate the level of knowledge of those surveyed as to key concepts of investigative interviewing including the PEACE model, Conversation Management and Cognitive Interviewing. I identify the ways in which legal representatives consider they make the most impact in suspect interviews whilst recognising the limitations of the methodology. I conclude by highlighting the numerous potential avenues for further research that these findings evoke.