49 1.4
ELEMENT 1.4 ELEMENT 1.2 ELEMENT 1.5 ELEMENT 1.1 ELEMENT 1.3 y
reviewing their own performance to ensure they met PEACE criteria for the most effective interview, and how this could be
improved upon if necessary. Self-critique is an important part of the process – if an interviewee became closed and guarded
at any point, it may have been a reaction to the interviewer’s behaviour or language as opposed to anything else.
Barriers to good interviews We will now look at what can negatively influence an interview.
y
An interviewer may ask leading or closed questions, causing the interviewee to say little, or stop talking altogether.
y
A language barrier might make the entire communication process difficult, and lead to more targeted questions being
asked.
y
Poor communication skills from either party may affect the quality of the interview/evidence.
y
The interviewer may not actively listen to the interviewee, causing tension between parties.
y
The interviewee may be in shock after the event so may not think rationally, or they may be too scared of repercussions to
be honest.
y
It may be that interviewees have heard rumours or already have formed opinions based on hearsay and may therefore add
this hearsay to their account.
Reluctant or unwilling interviewees Witnesses may be reluctant to provide information during an
investigation as they may be:
y
concerned about the repercussions in the workplace; and/or
y
worried they may implicate themselves.
Any interviewer must work to ensure that the interviewee is
fully aware that the reason for the investigation is to identify
the causes, and not to apportion blame or pass judgement on
involved parties.
In extreme circumstances, the investigation team may allow an
interviewee to give their evidence anonymously, where they are
genuinely concerned about the outcome.
Unwilling interviewee
