Methods of information gathering: Witnesses and complainants

To gather information from potential crime witnesses and complainants, interviewing, questioning, or interrogating can be used. Interviewing is the first level of information gathering, and it is not limited to the questioning of individuals suspected of committing a crime. It requires investigators to have a mental checklist to prepare for the interview. It usually includes notes in the forms of recording and transcribing. Questioning is the next-level information obtaining procedure and is associated with the availability of circumstantial evidence. Finally, interrogation is the highest-level procedure of information gathering and is applied to individuals who are suspected of unlawful acts.

Approaching reluctant/fearful witnesses and victims

When interviewing reluctant/fearful witnesses and victims, investigators are recommended to encourage witnesses to participate in providing information. It may be necessary to underline the fact that witnesses are obligated to participate. However, establishing a good relationship to gain trust and respect is likely to warm the witnesses and victims to providing information. It may also be helpful to offer note-taking instead of video/tape recording and suggest anonymity for cooperation to provide information in exceptional circumstances.

Hypnosis

Forensic hypnosis can be used as an aid in the investigatory process. It has the potential for allowing witnesses to recall certain facets of crime that they cannot remember without being hypnotized. However, it should be noted that forensic hypnosis is subject to serious objections and can be used on rare occasions. Its key functions in an investigation include the possibility of reconstructing event circumstances, providing a non-guided report of the event, recalling events in a different order, and changing the perspective on the event.