Leading Interview and Interrogation Techniques. Focus on Cognitive Interview

Criminal investigation in Mexico is performed by the investigation triad, which is made up of police and experts in different areas such as medicine and prosecutors. They all use interview and interrogation techniques to do their work. Unfortunately, in Mexico, there is no culture of training in governmental institutions responsible for investigating crimes, and results in ignorance of techniques for obtaining objective and reliable information that guarantees the protection of fundamental rights. This chapter illustrates the scope and limits of interview and interrogation techniques and their objectives, with emphasis on the cognitive interview (CI). The CI, which has been validated scientifically, is one of the best tools to obtain useful information, that is, results of a CI that have been conducted in the field can be used in a court of law. This technique can be used with victims, witnesses, or suspects. The current chapter also describes the most utilized techniques, cognitive interview, mnemonic techniques, Strategic Use of Evidence, and Verifiability Approach.