Investigative interviewing in suspected sex offences

Abstract

Suspected sex offences are difficult to investigate and prosecute. In many instances, the only evidence that exists is an account from a complainant and one from a suspect. This means that the way that these accounts are elicited with an investigative interview are critical. In this chapter, we will outline what we know about effective strategies for interviewing both complainants and suspects. Effective interviewing of complainants can dramatically increase the volume of information a complainant provides and has the potential to increase the credibility of this evidence. This is especially relevant now that recorded police interviews can be provided as evidence-in-chief in some jurisdictions. Suspect interviewing can be enhanced by using nonjudgmental approaches, allowing suspects to give their own account, and by other methods. We will draw together complainant and suspect interviewing to show how effective investigative interviewing can enhance the investigation and prosecution of sex crimes.