What Makes an Interviewer Effective?

Originally published in June 2004, this article examines the characteristics that distinguish skilled investigative interviewers from less effective practitioners. Drawing on findings from research involving more than 1,000 videotaped investigative interviews, it identifies key performance characteristics associated with successful interviewing, including thorough preparation, allowing uninterrupted narrative accounts, active listening, effective follow-up questioning, adaptability, and an evidence-focused approach to constructing proof. The article encourages investigators to critically evaluate their own interviewing practices and highlights the importance of developing interview skills as a discipline distinct from general investigative ability. This repository edition preserves the original publication as part of the historical development of evidence-based investigative interviewing.