The course is taught by retired FBI Special Agent Colton Seale who led the development of this science-based I&I methodology for the U.S. Intelligence Community. Agent Seale conducted thousands of interviews in his career, including high-value interrogations of terrorists across the globe. In developing this course, Agent Seale continues to rely on the most up-to-date research and science from his international network of researchers.
This course provides an introduction to science-based, rapport-based interview and interrogation (I&I) techniques, the same techniques in which FBI and CIA interviewers are trained. You will learn:
- prepare for difficult interviews,
- the true nature of rapport and how to develop rapport with even the most challenging subjects,
- specific models for developing rapport in an interview
- how memory works and how to help victims and witnesses remember more accurate details,
- how best to use evidence, and
- modern science-based methods of detecting deception.
Within the course we also discuss how we can best manage the uncertainty and ambiguity that is present in almost all investigations and the inherent cognitive biases that can impact our thinking in the investigative and interview processes.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the basic psychology of effective interpersonal communication.
- Recognize and control for common cognitive biases.
- Understand the basic methodology for interview planning and preparation.
- Understand the basic components of rapport.
- Understand and be able to apply the BASE Model of Rapport and the Interpersonal Behavior Wheels model.
- Understand the basic components of memory and apply memory enhancing mnemonics.
- Differentiate between science and pseudoscience in deception detection and apply verbal-based methods of credibility assessment.
- Effectively use available evidence in an interview with late disclosure of key evidence.
*This course is recommended for officers that have some experience conducting interviews. This creates a better understanding of the process, challenges, and application of this method. Although it’s recommended, it is not required.
