Phenomenological study - empirical validation of story telling in the practice of interrogation techniques

This germinal study ascertained the best practices and most effective means of interrogation during criminal investigations by joining the methods of story telling; commonly used when conveying oral history, with the methods of theme development; used in interrogations to elicit information from reticence subjects. The study sought testimonies of 8 active duty police detectives to confirm their unique and successful use of story telling during interrogation with criminal suspects. Literature review provided methods used by storytellers such as active listening; oral illustrations, and other communication techniques as a means of engaging their audiences are similar as interrogators during their sessions. The foundation of this study is that story telling is a relationship focused and rapport based methodology that is more accepting when gaining information during interrogations.