PRACTICAL KINESIC INTERVIEW & INTERROGATION®

Stan B. Walters & Associates, Inc.

The Lie Guy®

Practical Kinesic Interview & Interrogation� courses and methods are unique from other courses in interview and interrogation and behavioral analysis. What makes it unique is that it utilizes the results of extensive research material in teaching behavioral analysis, a narrative oriented approach to the interview process, and a subject driven method for its interrogation strategies.

Since the 1970's the topic of detection of deception has been a main focus of research in the behavioral science community. (Horvath, 1973; Knapp & Comadena, 1979; Miller & Stiff, 1993; Ekman, 1992). The results of those studies have shown that when asked to identify lies using verbal and nonverbal behavior most judges -- including trained veteran law enforcement officers, investigative interviewers and intelligence experts--do little better than chance. (Ekman & O'Sullivan, 1991; DePaulo & Pfiefer, 1986).

A review of the majority of law enforcement training materials on the topic of detection of deception by verbal and nonverbal signals has been found to be based in large part on unscientific anecdotal evidence or "war stories." (Ekman, 1992)   Many of the principles taught in law enforcement academies and in-service training even include major scientific inaccuracies. (Vrij, 1998; Dillingham, 1998; Geilselmen & Fisher, 1989). Even the time spent in basic academies is limited and on average comprises less than .5% of the entire training curriculum. (Walters, 1997).

Courses in Practical Kinesic Interview & Interrogation� were developed through in-depth research of existing scientific studies, forensic interviews and  documented scientific principles of credibility assessment. (Hadiks & Davis, 1995; Walters, 1996; Davis, Walters, 1999). It does not rely on unproven anecdotal experience. The instructors of Stan B. Walters & Associates, Inc. have been actively involved in the research of that scientific information. They have personally been involved in the development of accurate and advanced training programs in detection of deception and consistently recognized for their ability to teach that information in the classroom in the practical application of those techniques.

For several years various behavioral science, academic and law enforcement experts have studied the dynamics of investigative interview and interrogation. These studies have focused on the general success rate of interrogations, methods and techniques used, video documentation of those methods and the identification of those techniques which are both productive and non-productive. (Geilselmen, Fisher, Raymond, 1987; Baldwin, 1993; Leo, 1996). The predominant method used has been identified as an accusatory or confrontational approach but is also the least productive in terms of results. Practical Kinesic Interview & Interrogation� utilizes the method consistently shown to be most productive - a narrative technique. (Gudjonsson, 1992; Baldwin, 1993).

Great emphasis has been since the early 80's on crime scene assessment and behavioral analysis profiling. The goal has been to identify the unique characteristics of the offender or types of offenders based on their behaviors during the planning, execution of their crimes and their attempts to elude detection as the suspect. Unfortunately the methods of interview and interrogation has not progressed past the idea that all subjects can be interviewed using a single or "ideal" interrogation strategy. Practical Kinesic Interview & Interrogation� methods utilize a "subject driven" form of interview and interrogation. A unique interview and interrogation strategy is developed for individual subjects based on their current emotional and cognitive reactions in the interview. From observations of the subject's demeanor an assessment is made of the subject's personality type and the resulting interrogation strategy is adjusted for maximum results. The interrogation is therefore not driven by a preordained approach but by the individual identity of the subjects themselves thus a "subject driven" interrogation approach.