Overview

The self-paced eLearning course is offered by the Centre for Investigative Interviewing, a leading research and training hub in investigative interviewing globally.

Investigative interviewing techniques, and methods of teaching the skills of interviewing, are complex areas of science. They evolve from enquiry into human memory behaviour, evaluation of improved interview methods against agreed outcomes, and the establishment of mechanisms to promote organisational change in interview practice. Evaluation research using control groups and standardised assessment measures reveals that the structured learning activities promote sustained use of a range of good questions and shorter interviews without loss of important information.

The course covers the ‘how to’ of gathering reliable and comprehensive verbal information from people. It is designed to assist professionals in situations where they need to gather reliable information and comprises of both practical and interactive elements including films with quizzes, and practical one-on-one sessions (held via phone/virtual) with a tutor. It focuses on the communication strategies needed to build rapport quickly and encourage elaborate responses, minimise misunderstanding and error (while steering towards important details), encourage disclosure of sensitive information from reluctant individuals, and accommodate complex communication needs.

Topics that will be covered include:

• the impact of various question styles,

• useful techniques for eliciting disclosures of abuse from vulnerable witnesses,

• accommodating the needs of people with communication impairment and from different cultural groups.

Modules

1. Best practice guidelines

2. Defining the questions

3. Effective questions

4. Practice the right questions 

5. Eliciting a disclosure

6. Simple communication

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Target audience

Psychologists, psychology students and general practitioners.

Duration of access

Access to this eLearning course is 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This eLearning course has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. 

Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process and CPD Standards.

Related training

The Centre for Investigative Interviewing also offers related training specific to interviewing children and young people. Learn more.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• define the various question types and the impact of each on the accuracy and detail of individuals’ responses,

• apply the best questions at different points in an interaction, and

• demonstrate adherence (in practice activities) to non-leading open-ended questions during mock interviews that have been tailored to the individual trainee's workplace.

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