Special Considerations during Interviews

It is the interviewer’s role to identify witnesses that require special considerations. Preferably and where possible these considerations should be known prior to the interview and appropriate planning should take place.

Things to consider, but not an exhaustive list, are the witness’s age, physical, intellectual and psychological impairment, fear of intimidation, cultural background and religious beliefs and the witness’s relationship to the other person in the investigation.

The action the interviewer takes after identifying a witness with a special consideration depends on the circumstances. The interviewer must tread carefully during initial questioning, and it may be the witness is interviewed more fully later. Ultimately, the interviewer’s aim is to maximise the quality of the evidence of those requiring special consideration.