Interviewing high value detainees: securing cooperation and disclosures

Summary: Four types of coercive and noncoercive interview strategies (legalistic, physical, cognitive and social) used to facilitate disclosure by high value detainees were examined in an international sample of practitioners and detainees (N=64). Predictive analyses confirmed that the accusatorial approach was positively correlated with physically coercive strategies (rs =.58) and negatively with forms of social persuasion (rs= -.31). In response to social strategies, detainees were more likely to disclose meaningful information [odds ratio (OR) =4.2] and earlier in the interview when rapport-building techniques were used (OR =14.17). They were less likely to cooperate when confronted with evidence (OR=4.8). Disclosures were more complete in response to noncoercive strategies, especially rapport-building and procedural fairness elements of respect and voice. These findings augmented past theory on interactional processes and the evidence-base of international best practices in suspect interviews.