Investigative Interviews via Video Conference
Since February 2020 the conduct of investigations during COVID-19 has been impacted: no ability to travel, no face-to-face investigative interviews. Interviews are critical for the gathering of facts and information, but is performing a remote interview via video conference the next best option to a face-to-face interview?
You may think, or you may have been told that remote interviews are convenient, efficient, and likely here to stay, and tips regarding the preparation, the setup, camera positioning and note taking are provided, but remote interviews present numerous privacy, confidentiality, and data security challenges (even with proper planning), and, equally important, interviewers miss nonverbal signals and cannot build trust with interviewees.
Body language, the science of nonverbal signals
With remote interviews via video conference interviewers miss the way interviewees communicate their feelings (posture, gestures, facial expressions and movements). Body language is subconscious, and there are certain movements and body positions that indicate negative emotions like nervousness or disdain, while others project interest and ease. Neutral or positive body language allows the interviewer to focus on what interviewees are saying rather than how they look. Most interviewees are not aware of their posture at all times, or forget about their posture after a while. During remote interviews interviewers miss, or may miss leg position, the positioning of someone’s feet, restlessness, hand position, etc. Many behaviors are linked to psychological discomfort, but most of them are not detectable in facial expressions alone.
Building trust is key
Research-backed cues to non-verbal communication shine a bright light on what people are thinking, but it’s essential to consider the context as well. Those who are shy, for instance, may display signs of discomfort that can be misconstrued as other negative emotions such as disgust or anger. It is crucial to establish trust or rapport with an interviewee before trying to detect deception.
In the majority of all cases it is possible to avoid remote interviews; there’s usually a way to make it possible for us to personally meet with interviewees to establish trust or rapport, and to conduct face-to-face interviews.
Please do contact us when you have any questions or requests.