Investigating Shipping Pollution Violations

Pacific Module 13: Interviewing

Interviews

Interviewing Basics

• Alleged crime being investigated• Identify suspects/witnesses/foundation

interviews • Where to interview

– Office– In a car– Restaurant– Police department interview room

Interviewing Basics

• Who does the interview– Female/male (religion / subjects sex / crime)– Old/young– Experience/background

• Assignment of interview duties– Notes– Primary interviewer

Interviewing Basics

• Setting up interview location– Chairs (type, location)– Desk– Food/drinks– Audio/video– Witness to interview (non-recorded

video/audio), one-way mirror– Props– Distractions (clock, poster, alarms)– Exit door

Interviewing Basics

• During the interview– Body language

• Subject/witness• Interviewers

– Role reversal– Custodial interview ?– Language

• Interpreter• Terminology

Shipboard Culture

• Crew composition• Licensed officers• Unlicensed crew• Economic composition• Nationalities• Age• Sex• Religion• Traditions• Language• Employment• Safety

Preparation for Interview

• Goals – what are they?

• Identify what information the individual can give you based on their official job and what they do during their down time.

Interview Location

• Onboard the vessel– Captains office, conference room, bridge or

other

• On shore– An area controlled by the vessel or investigators– Legal issues

When to conduct Interviews

• What stage in the investigation should interviews be conducted– Immediately upon boarding the vessel to

prevent opportunity for collusion and destruction of evidence

– After preliminary physical inspection of vessel and records so that more detailed questions can be asked

What Questions

• Improper questions can reveal more to the person being interviewed rather than obtaining information

• Open-ended questions versus closed-ended questions

• Questions where the answer will be incriminating.

Written Statements

• Crew members or other witnesses may wish to make written statements

• Check legislation for specific requirements, for example– Procedures– Handwritten/typed– Prepared by the person or investigator– Oath/Affirmation– Signed– Signature witnessed

Extra’s

• Attorney’s arrive

• Safety after the interview (suicide/threats from others)

• Evidence from interviews– Pictures taken (cell phone, camera)– Notebooks (look for indications of them)– Handwriting exemplar

Reports

• Critical that accurate notes are taken during the interview – That you can understand

• Write full interview report• Accuracy confirmed by all who took part in

interview• State the known facts no interviewer

conclusions or suspicions• More detail than less• Specific information should be “quoted”

Questions?