Investigative and Forensic Interviewing: A Personality-focused Approach

Investigative and Forensic Interviewing: A Personality-Focused Approach looks at the personality styles most commonly encountered in the criminal justice system and demonstrates how to use this insight to plan and conduct a productive interview. The book includes chapters on narcissistic, antisocial, psychopathic, borderline, inadequate/immature, paranoid, and schizotypal personalities. Written by forensic psychologists and former FBI investigators, each chapter begins with a vignette that displays the personality of an interviewee investigators might encounter in a forensic setting and then covers:

• Descriptions of how each personality style views him or herself and the world, and how these views lead to problematic behavior
• Ways to indirectly assess a subject through interviews with associated others, and through review of records
• Behaviors investigators are likely to encounter during the interview, and responses those behaviors may provoke
• Clues garnered from nonverbal behavior, including eye contact, facial expressions, and posture
• What type of questions to ask, and how to ask them

Finally, each chapter applies all of this information to an actual interview based on the opening vignette. This book is not for diagnosing personality disorders, but rather exists to help forensic interviewers understand the core traits that influence people’s responsiveness. This personality-focused approach is helpful for professionals in a variety of areas including police, attorneys, parole officers, mental health workers, and others who interview witnesses, suspects, and offenders throughout the criminal justice system.

Craig N. Ackley, M.S., is a former supervisory special agent with the FBI. He retired from the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime where he provided psychological and behavioral support primarily in the areas of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and homicide. He is currently the president of Behavioral Science Education and Consultation Services, Inc.

Shannon McAuliffe Mack, M.A., is a former senior research analyst with the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, where she provided research support and case-specific operational assistance. She is currently vice president of Behavioral Science Education and Consultation Services, Inc., where she provides operational assistance and training in the areas of trial strategy, interview strategy, and case analysis.

Kristen Beyer, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who formerly worked in the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime as the supervisory social/behavioral science research coordinator where she provided consultation, training, and research on violent crime matters. She is currently a consultant with Behavioral Science Education and Consultation Services, Inc. and an adjunct professor.

Philip Erdberg, PhD, is a diplomate in clinical psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is a past president of the Society for Personality Assessment, the 1995 recipient of the Society’s Distinguished Contribution Award, and the 2001 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Forensic Mental Health Association of California. He consults in a variety of school, clinical, correctional, and law enforcement settings and is a frequent workshop presenter.