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Popular Interrogations by Lady Dhae Massirith

-This book is bound in smooth black leather and embossed with a stylized whip and dagger.-

=Popular Methods of Interrogation=

"We know ALL"

The interrogator must first become thoroughly familiar with the available data concerning the source. To begin the interrogation, the interrogator asks questions based on his known data. When the source hesitates, refuses to answer, or provides an incomplete or incorrect reply, the interrogator himself provides the

-A detailed illustration of a blindfolded man being questioned by a Watcher-

detailed answer. Through the careful use of the limited number of known details, the interrogator may convince the source that all the information is already known; therefore, the sources answers to the questions are of no consequence. When the source begins to give accurate and complete information, the interrogator interjects questions designed to gain the needed information. Questions to which answers are already known are also asked to test the source and to maintain the deception that all the information is already known. A VERY effective technique.

"Rapid Fire"

This approach technique involves a psychological ploy based on the principles that: Everyone likes to be heard when they speak; and it is

-A detailed illustration of a woman being interrogated by two Watchers-

confusing to be interrupted in mid-sentence with an unrelated question.

This technique may be used with one, or simultaneously by two or more interrogators in questioning the same source. In employing this technique the interrogator asks a series of questions in such a manner that the source does not have time to answer a question completely before the next question is asked. This tends to confuse the source and they are apt to contradict themselves, as they have little time to prepare their answers. The interrogator then confronts the source with the inconsistencies, causing further contradictions. In many instances the source will begin to talk freely in an attempt to explain themselves and deny the inconsistencies pointed out by the interrogator. In attempting to explain their answers, they are likely to reveal more than they intend, thus creating additional leads for the interrogator.

"Repetition"

Repetition is used to induce cooperation from a hostile source. The interrogator listens carefully to the sources answer to a question, and then repeats both the question and answer several times. He does this with each succeeding question until the source becomes so bored with the procedure that he or she answer the question fully and truthfully to satisfy the interrogator and to gain relief from the monotony of this method of questioning. The repetition technique will generally not work when employed against introverted sources or those having great self control.

"Pride and Ego"

This technique works effectively on the egotistical. The strategy is to trick the source into revealing desired information by flattering them. Egotistic types should be allowed to bask at length in the warmth of individual recognition. It is effective with sources who have displayed weaknesses or feelings of inferiority. The interrogator accuses the source of weakness or implies that they are unable to do a certain thing. The proud or egotistical source will jump to the defensive. An example of an opening question for this technique may be: "What made you think you could possibly do .....?" It provides the source with the opportunity to show someone that they have "brains" and in doing so, they give the interrogator more information than they should have.

"Silent"

The Silent technique may be successful when used against either the nervous, or the confident-type source. When employing this technique, the interrogator says nothing to the source, but looks them squarely in the eye, probably with a slight smile on his or her face. It is important for the interrogator not to look away from the source, but force them to break eye contact first. They will become nervous, begin to shift around in their chair, and look away. If they ask questions the interrogator should not answer them until he or she is ready to break the silence. A source may blurt out questions such as, "What the hell do you want with me". When the interrogator is ready to break the silence, he or she may do so with some quite nonchalant questions such as, "You have been doing ..... for a long time haven't you, are you self taught?".

Forms of Questioning

Prepared questions: When the topic under inquiry is very technical or when legal aspects of the interrogation require preciseness, the interrogator will have a list of prepared questions to follow during the interrogation.

Control questions:

To maintain control and to check on the truthfulness of a source, the normal questions will be mixed with control questions-those with known answers. If you fail to answer these questions, or answer wrong, it will indicate that you are either not knowledgeable in the topic or that you are lying.

Nonpertinent questions:

Sometimes it is necessary for the interrogator to keep the true objective of the interrogation from you. By carefully blending pertinent questions with nonpertinent questions, the interrogator can conceal the true purpose of the inquiry.

Direct and leading questions:

The manner in which the questions are worded has a direct bearing on your response. A question may be posed in a number of ways:

1. "What did do on (date, time, or place)?"

2. "Did you (action) on (date, time, or place)?"

3. "You did (action) on (date, time, or place)?"

4. "You didn't (action) on (date, time, or place), did you?"