COST Establishing Networks to Implement the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations

Abstract

Interviews conducted across the world by police and other law enforcement agencies with suspects, victims and witnesses are crucially important in determining criminal justice outcomes. Several Member countries have developed (or are developing) an ethical approach termed ‘investigative interviewing’ that aims to obtain detailed and reliable information while respecting human rights. This approach is consistent with the 2021 United Nations Declaration of the ‘Principles of Effective Interviewing’. However, law enforcement agencies in most countries remain unaware of the investigative interviewing approach, undertaking unethical practices characterized by guilt presumption and confession orientation that often rely on psychological manipulation, intimidation or physical torture and can lead to miscarriages of justice and failed investigations. This Action involves convening regional and in-country networks of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working with each other and the Action Team to enable wider implementation of the ‘Mendez Principles’.