The Structured Interview Protocol: a research- based … Structured Interview Protocol: a research-based PEACE-compliant investigative interviewing training programme Fiona Gabbert1,

The Structured Interview Protocol: a research-based PEACE-compliant investigative

interviewing training programme

Fiona Gabbert1, Lorraine Hope2, David La Rooy3, Ashleigh McGregor1, Rebecca Milne2, Tom Ellis2, & Gavin Oxburgh4

1 Goldsmiths University of London2 University of Portsmouth

3 Royal Holloway University of London4Newcastle University

Background & Context for Research

• Many advances in effective interview practice

– Some successes with introductions of new interview tools and techniques into policy/practice

– Does not always translate into improving basic level interview training

• Frontline response officers

– Least training

– Most interviewing

– Increasingly wearing Body-Worn Video Cameras

Research objectives

1. Examine real-life interview data from frontline officers to identify common challenges and training needs (baseline performance).

2. Work with our practitioner collaborators to develop an evidence-based Structured Interview Protocol & related training, for use by frontline officers and other basic-level investigative interviewers.

3. Test the Structured Interview Protocol under controlled conditions to examine the amount of training required to produce effective results.

4. Test the Structured Interview Protocol training in the field.

Objective 1: Examining baseline performance

Total N = 94, from four participating UK-based police forces.

Common deviations from best practice and PEACE guidelines –

Engage & Explain phase

• Absence of any rapport building attempts (87 / 94)

• No attempt to explain expectations of the witness (78 / 94)

Account phase

• Poor use of hierarchical questioning (open – closed q’s)

• Over-reliance on closed and 5 wh- questions

• Interviewer led structure

• New topic areas introduced with a closed question

Objective 2: Develop a Structured Interview Protocol

• Taking the form of a generic PEACE interview template, ensuring -

– Evidence-based techniques to facilitate ‘engage and explain’ (rapid rapport; empathy; setting threshold of reporting; source-monitoring; encouragement of qualifiers, etc.)

– Evidence-based techniques to facilitate retrieval (appropriate use of questions; interviewee-lead interviewing; use of self-generated cues, etc.)

– Effective training techniqes to facilitate retention of learning (psychology of learning, protocol format, use of aide memoirs, etc.)

Objective 3: Field trial

Mock-witness study (N = 65 response officers from 2 forces)

• Pre-SIP training interview with a mock witness.

• SIP training (max. 1 day)

• Post-SIP training interview with a mock witness.

Real-witness field study (N = 216 response officers from 4 forces)

• BWV footage of first accounts/ interviews sourced from officers who (a) later received SIP training, (b) did not receive SIP training.

• BWV footage of trained / non-SIP trained officers approx. 1-2 months following the training sessions.

Results: mock witness study, engage & explain

0

1

2

3

4

Engage Explain

Pre SIP training

Post SIP training

Mea

n n

o. o

f ad

van

ced

E&

E t

ech

niq

ue

s u

sed

Results: mock witness study, use of questions

Open q's Wh- q's Closed q's Inappropriateq's

Pre SIP training

Post SIP training

Mea

n %

of

qu

est

ion

typ

es

use

d

Results: mock witness study, interviewee-led questioning

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Pre SIP training Post SIP training

Interviewer-led

Interviewee-led

Feedback

Would you do anything different post SIP training? YES 77%

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

SIP booklet useful 1 0 5 43 38

SIP aide memoir useful 1 4 2 41 38

Need more supporting materials 9 34 25 12 6

Feel more confident 1 3 13 48 22

Results: field interviews

10

20

30

40

Pre trial Post trial

0

2

4

6

Pre trial Post trial

50

60

70

80

Pre trial Post trial

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

Pre trial Post trial

Engage & Explain % of Open Qs used

% of Closed & Probing Qs used % of Inappropriate Qs used

SIP training Controls (no SIP training)

Summary and Future Directions

• The PEACE-compliant SIP package promotes high quality interview performance

– Increased use of rapid rapport techniques, enhanced ‘engage and explain’ skills, and an increase in appropriate question types, used in a structured manner.

• Embed as initial training for all new officers (easier than re-training)

• Creates strong base for advanced training

• Potential for additional effective techniques to be added in

• All resources freely available, following peer-review process.

Implication of the Findings in Practice…

• The techniques involved are evidence-based (ready for use)

• Needs to go through peer-review process

• Needs to be replicated

• Needs a provision for updating in light of new evidence

Thank you. Questions welcome.

Acknowledgements:

ESRC (grant no ES/M006395/1)

Ashleigh McGregor Jana Spakova

Alessandra Caso Diego Nardi

Alex Lloyd EleonoraMancini

Chloe Standen Eve Twivy

[email protected]