Session 1

PEACE Refresher 

Session 2

Questioning Styles

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Conducting Investigations​

Engage in complex victim/witness  and suspect interviewing

Skills and behaviours of interviewers, including how these  would need to be adjusted, depending on the nature of the  investigation

∙ Conversation management 

∙ Listening skills 

∙ Active questioning skills

Session 3

Concept of Memory and Interviewing

Conducting Investigations

Understand the importance of the  concept of memory upon interview  methods and processes

Psychological and physiological influences on memory 

∙ The effect of stressors (e.g. the offence) 

∙ Medical conditions or head injury 

∙ Age of individual 

∙ Influences of suggestibility 

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Different methodologies for conducting an interview 

∙ Account, clarification and challenge 

∙ Cognitive interviews 

∙ Free recall 

∙ Fast-track witness interviews 

∙ Enhanced cognitive interview  

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The evidence base associated with interview  methodologies and memory recall

∙ Cognitive interview 

∙ Free Recall 

∙ Enhanced cognitive interview

Considerations and procedures regarding recording  interview(s) in complex cases

∙ Factors associated with the offence and interviewee that  may influence recording of interviews 

∙ The types of recording 

∙ Use of props, and when appropriate during an interview

Session 4

Specialists Involved in the Witness Interview Process

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Specialists who may need to be involved in complex  interviews

Content should cover: 

• Interpreter 

• Witness intermediary 

• Interview Advisor

Liaison with the Interview Advisor in the context of  complex investigations

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• Interviewees with complex needs 

• Serious and complex crime investigations

Session 5

Truth & Lies

Conducting Investigations​

Engage in complex victim/witness  and suspect interviewing

Methods of exploration of a young witness’s understanding of the concept of truthfulness

• Appreciation of differences between truth and lies  ∙ Consequences of truthfulness / dishonesty  

• Necessity for accuracy  

• Use of illustrative examples that are appropriate to age and  cognitive ability  

• Use of an intermediary

Session 6

Victim & Witness Care

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Complex Witness Interviewing

Conducting Investigations​

Understand the intricacies associated with victim and witness  care during a complex investigation

Impact of trauma on victim(s) and witnesses involved in  complex and serious offending

Support required for victims, including therapeutic support,  consent issues and maintaining on-going support throughout  the investigation

∙ The Victims’ Code 

Engage in complex victim/witness  and suspect interviewing

Ongoing processes for witness management in complex  case

Address complex circumstances  when conducting interviews

Instances when a fast-track interview should be used/not  used

• The witness e.g. to progress investigation rapidly or early  identification or arrest of suspect 

• To help overall witness interview strategy e.g. categorising  witness as vulnerable, intimidated or significant

• Conversation management techniques

• Using conversational management techniques to obtain  information

Session 7 - Practical Sessions