Introduction to Science-Based Investigative Interviewing (SBI)

During an investigation, law enforcement officers frequently face the challenge of persuading an uncooperative witness to provide information or encouraging a suspect to be honest about his involvement in a crime.

This SBI course is an interactive program designed to teach law enforcement officers, investigators, and supervisors how to overcome the challenge of reluctant or uncooperative subjects, including victims, witnesses, or suspects. Students will learn to strategically plan, prepare, and conduct effective investigative interviews.

SBI will detail the following investigative interview concepts and techniques:

• T.E.D. (Tell, Explain, Describe) - A strategically crafted set of open-ended questions eliciting rich information from the interviewee while increasing the cognitive load on a deceptive person, making it more difficult for them to lie effectively.
• Question Funneling - A series of open-ended questions that gradually narrow in focus, eliciting detailed information while increasing cognitive load on deceptive individuals.
• Evidence Escape Routes - Tactics for eliciting information from suspects that limit their ability to distance themselves from the evidence or minimize its significance.
• S.U.E. (Strategic Use of Evidence) - A framework for introducing evidence that allows investigators to assess the truthfulness of a suspect's narrative while motivating truthfulness.
• ORBIT - A technique that overcomes resistance and counter-interrogation strategies commonly employed by suspects. Developed by Laurence and Emily Alison (University of Liverpool) for law enforcement and the military.
• The Unanticipated Question - A questioning tactic used to detect deception by introducing unexpected elements into the interview.
• Holdback Information - A procedure that ensures the reliability of confessions by withholding certain pieces of evidence until later in the interview.
• Understanding the difference between an admission and a reliable confession.
• Additionally, the course provides an update on the latest Miranda case law, ensuring officers are current with legal requirements.

SBI equips law enforcement with the tools to conduct effective interviews and interrogations.

This course is offered in two course formats: "Hosted Classes" where students register individually, and "Contracted Classes" where agencies purchase the entire course at a discounted rate. For scheduling or inquiries, please contact us.

Students are responsible for obtaining permission and approval from their departments prior to registration if the student plans to attend on-duty and have the agency pay for it. You know the rules. 

If you want to attend, we recommend working with your agency prior to registering for a class. Because if you register for a class, and your department does not approve your time or tuition for any reason, you are still responsible for the terms of the attendance and cancellation policy including any applicable tuition. Again, we know you get it. We look forward to seeing you in class!

This class is open to all federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement, fire investigative, and prosecutorial agencies.  All Deputies, Officers, FTO’s, Detectives, Investigators, Corporals, Supervisors, and Command Staff are all welcome and encouraged to attend.  Fire Arson Investigators, Prosecutors, and DA/PA Investigators are also more than welcome and will benefit greatly by attending this class.