Analysis of Modern Approaches to Increasing the Efficiency of Interrogation during the Pre-Trial Investigation

Abstract

The first purpose of the article is to show the current state of the scientific development of such investigative action as «interrogation». The article describes the changes of personal perception of «interrogation» in the world practice, under the great influence of new researches in the field of legal psychology, concerned the main disadvantages of the coercive methods of interrogation, and that is the second aim of the article. In addition, the third aim of the article is to conduct the research about the benefits of implementation interrogational methods in to the practices of law enforcement agencies in Ukraine and abroad. Methodology. Both general scientific and special research methods were used to prepare this work. There are historical, comparative, formal-logical, system-structural and functional methods worth to be highlighted separately. The main provisions and conclusions of the article are based on the scientific publications researches, legal literature and legislation analysis, unique investigative experience of the author. The scientific novelty of the research is to substantiate the demand for new approaches of conducting interrogations in domestic criminal practice. The author of the article proposes to adopt the experience of leading European countries in the field of procedural interviewing by the method of P.E.A.C.E. The author sees the need for further researches in this area, because the results of this will improve the investigative efficiency of law-enforcement bodies in Ukraine. It will also improve public confidence in the law enforcement system, and will provide fullest procedural protection of interviewee’s rights and freedoms. Conclusions. The results of the research indicate the following: 1) It is very important to study carefully the identity of the interviewee for objective and impartial evidence; 2) The author considers that methods of conversation, observation, modeling and  biographical method are the most expedient methods to conduct forensic investigation of personality; 3) Establishing the psychological contact with person is main stipulation for forming effective communication between the investigator and the interrogatee. It is possible to achieve the purpose of the interrogation during such kind of communication more effectively. The author believes that additional courses should be introduced in the law enforcement education system of Ukraine in order to increase the effectiveness of pre-trial investigation, in which investigators could be provided by systematic and up to date information about the benefits of informative interrogation methods (interviews), like the PEACE method.

Keywords: interrogation; investigative interviewing; personality; personality research; psychological contact; interrogation tactic.