How do you interrogate someone without being a police officer?

Question

I want to know a legal yet effective way to interrogate someone without being a police officer and having access to an interrogation room and materials. How can an average citizen interrogate a suspect in a criminal case, for instance, to try to make him/her confess?
Thanks.

As for where I'm going with this, I'm just curious about this stuff.

Answer 1

To clarify an above statement, anything said by the suspect is certainly not "hearsay". Hearsay is statements made by a third party. In law, this does not include the accused, as the accused is there to rebut the statements made. The only issues are the credibility of the person reitterating the statements and the voluntariness under which the statement was made.

As for interrogation, I'm not sure where you're going with this. For what purpose?

There are civilians who do conduct interviews/interrogations on persons, such as the case of employers, or persons hired by employers. (This happens when investigation firms are brought in to look at particular acts committed by employees and then a post interview is conducted in which all the facts are laid out.)

Proper interviewing or as some call it, "interrogation" is a technique that requires skill, and much refining through practice. One needs the ability to play a role, switch roles on the move, and read every verbal and non verbal signal. There are also many proven methods of interviewing that are proven to work when employed properly and in the right context.

I think what you are looking for is simply an opportunity to make an accusation and put someone on the spot. I can't see this being a true interrogation. In fact, many times when we interrogate people, it is done so smoothly that they don't even realize that's what is happening until after we've gotten what we need. TV has put too much of a hollywood spin on interrogation, as it does with everything.

Google "interviewing techniques" or "the reid method interviewing" or "concealed interrogation".

Answer 2

You can't. It's hearsay. Anything the person says to you will most likely not be admissible in court as you are not an officer or the persons attorney. Now if you are testifying against them with previous knowledge, as in you witnessed it, that's different.

"Generally in common law courts the "hearsay rule" applies, which says that a trier of fact (judge or jury) cannot be informed of a hearsay statement unless it meets certain strict requirements."

Hearsay is generally only admissible if it directly correlates with the crime, such as you hear someone yelling "HELP! SO AND SO IS TRYING TO KILL ME!", and indeed, so and so was trying to kill said person, and you witnessed either the attempt or saw the person that was hurt, and there is reasonable evidense that so and so commited the crime.

Answer 3

The Prosecuting attorney, at trial, can ask questions (some of which, you may suggest). But before it even goes to trial, the defendant must have been charged and arraigned for the crime.

In a civil suit, your attorney can prepare a set of "Interrogatories" (questions) that the defendant MUST answer truthfully.

You cannot personally question anyone and expect that they will willingly incriminate themselves.

Answer 4

You can ask the suspect, but other means of interrogation, recording, electronic surveillance, i.e . tape recorders, may not even be legal in most/some states.......Good luck!

Answer 5

You should stay out of the way and do your own job, you fun time interrogation could undermine the real one.

Answer 6

find a way to make truth serum or get someone who knows how to get it/where to buy it. learn how to operate a syringe and stab them with the serum. then ask them questions after it takes effect. make sure you have a video camera or a tape recorder handy after you do this. ( i hope obtaining truth serum is legal if its not then at least its a suggestion)

Answer 7

legally you cant unless you have a job that is law enforcement related or military. to make someone confess, all you can do is just keep asking questions. otherwise you can be charged with false imprisonment and assault

Answer 8

Be the mother or father of a teenager.

Answer 9

Tie them face up to the bed and run feathers all over their tummy, this will make them tell you.

Answer 10

None that I know of but you can call 1-800-THEMAFIA and see if they have an answer.