An interrogation is a conversation with a purpose. It is a bit more hardcore than an investigative interview where in an interrogation the crime or incident is more severe. I wrote about this in my last blog, "The Art of the Investigative Interview."
During an interrogation the Interrogator must be in the moment, always keeping a connection between the Interrogator and the Subject. It is an interplay between the two; not unlike boxing, fencing and even dancing. The best analogy I can think of is the correlation between the poker player's mindset and the mindset of the interrogating detective.
During my numerous conversations with my brother Mitch, a professional poker player, I begin to recognize these similarities. Both the detective and the poker player must begin with what the Japanese call "Kuuki Yomo" (reading the room).
In Poker this is done through tells. Tells are psychophysiological clues that reveal something about the subject's emotional state and intentions. In an interrogation this is done through adaptors, Body Posture, Body Language and specific behavioral patterns.
ADAPTORS
Adaptors are nonverbal gestures like folding of the hands or blinking of the eyes. This may be an indication that the subject is nervous and is trying to pacify his or her anxiety. These nonverbal expressions should never be used alone as a determining factor in detecting deceptive behavior.
BODY POSTURE\BODY LANGUAGE
When using body posture or body language to indicate deception, timing is crucial. The interrogator must pay attention to the five second interval after a pertinent question is asked. This is the most probable time the subject's fight or flight reaction can be observed. An example of this might be inconsistent behavior such as when the subject answers yes, but shakes their head "No."
BLUFFING
Never show your hand. As Sun Tsu say"All wars are won through deception." For instance, imply that you have more evidence than you do, such as forensic evidence or witness testimony.
DISTRACTION
Distraction is at the essence of all tricks because it distracts people's minds and gives the distractor time and space to do something without the subject noticing. Distraction disguises your true intent.
INDUCED FATIGUE
Many Semi-Pro Poker Players will intentionally sleep all day and play all night hoping to play against players that haven't slept. When a subject is fatigued, they are more easily manipulated.
INTUITION
Intuitions must be linked to concepts to be useful, Intuitions that are not aligned with valid concepts, are blind intuitions and not reliable.
In conclusion, both the poker player and detective interrogator must induce the predator\prey response at the proper time while sensing and identifying behavioral clues that are indicative of deception. This gives the poker player an advantage over the other players and increases the likelihood of winning the game, or in the case of the interrogator obtaining a confession.
About the Author:
Judd Bank is the CEO and Polygraph Examiner of CPI Investigations and was a former Detective for the Queens District Attorney's Office and a life-long Martial Artist.
