Preparing For The Interview
Everyone Wants To Talk
People's Words Will Betray Them
True Stories Come From Memory
The Shortest Answer Is The Best
Everything Has A Meaning
Use The Same Language
People Do Not Want To Lie
The Denial
Starting The Interview
Get Them Talking To You
Obtaining A Statement
Analyzing The Statement
Look At The Language
Specific Words
Unique Words
Unusual Words
Untruthful Words
Test Your Knowledge
Lesson One Test
Send Email
Introduction Page
Preparing For The Interview
Everything A Person Says Has A Meaning
A person may provide you with information that appears to have nothing to do with your investigation. However, there is a reason why the subject has included this information in his story. Somehow it relates to your investigation. Your job is to find out why he said it.
You should also look at how the subject has worded his statement. There is a reason why he phrased it in such a manner. Ask yourself, “Why did he say it that way?” You should also ask yourself how you would phrase such a statement. By comparing your statement with his statement, this may help you to see some additional information in his statement.
Consider this statement made by O.J. Simpson in his book "I Want To Tell You." Simpson was thanking those people who thought he was guilty for allowing him to print their comments in his book.
"I am grateful that even those who believe in my guilt also believe that I should have my day in court and have agreed to let their words be published in this book."
Ask yourself how you would phrase this. Most people would probably say it this way.
"I am grateful that even those who believe I am guilty also believe that I should have my day in court and have agreed to let their words be published in this book”"
What is the difference between "those who believe I am guilty" and "those who believe in my guilt"? Pronouns show possession and give us responsibility. In the statement, "those who believe I am guilty" the person is referring to what others may believe. Others think he is guilty.
In the statement, "those who believe in my guilt" the person is talking about "my guilt." It sounds as if he is referring to something that he has already established (his guilt). This would be a type of admission.
It is important to listen to everything a person says because everything is relevant.
| Continue Lesson One with "Use The Same Language" |