There was a good balance of content and skill practice in the two day training. The PowerPoint presentation on the Course CD was full of key concepts and examples. Although several of the participants were a bit anxious about practical exercises (role playing), the encouragement by the instructor and other participants helped to ease nervousness.. Mr. Strecker's experience, expertise, and instructional style were very effective in both content and practice.
The instructor tailored the presentation of the course so that it was applicable to our current positions.
The knowledge, awareness, and skills learned are very transferable to my position.
Interdisciplinary Positions at the University of Hawaii
The training was very informative and interactive, which enhanced and reinforced my prior training and experiences. The instructor was very knowledgeable and shared his experience, which was exhibited through his skill and abilities throughout the course. I would recommend attendance of this training by individuals who will be conducting interviews and interrogations The training was very informative and interactive, which enhanced and reinforced my prior training and experiences. The instructor was very knowledgeable and shared his experience, which was exhibited through his skill and abilities throughout the course. I would recommend attendance of this training by individuals who will be conducting interviews and interrogations.
State of Hawaii
Department of the Attorney General
Office of Investigations
COURSE CRITIQUES:
Course: Observation of body and facial tendencies to understand non-verbal behavior associated with truth and deception through theme based interviews. Practical application of body and facial tendencies by viewing sample images with comment and feedback. Development of theme based interviews. Understanding physical tendencies that indicate a need for the modification of interview questions. Development of topics concerning historical, family, hobbies, nationality and similarities to break barriers and reinforce themed interviews. Practicum utilizing students as suspects and interviewers to apply what was learned with after action feedback. Practicum utilizing the instructor as the suspect and students as the investigators again observing and development of themed interviews.
Evaluation: The instructor was knowledgeable regarding the subject matter. The instructor made the class interesting by including personal experiences with instruction. The instructor provided reading material that supported non-verbal behavior during interviews/interrogation. The instructor had excellent rapport with the class that facilitated open questions and answers.
Conclusion: This course provided scientific and behavioral sciences as it applies to conducting an interview. The course made me aware that there are behavioral sciences that are applicable when prior to the course it was "gut level" feeling when conducting interviews.
The Challenge: To become aware of non-verbal behavior of the suspect when conducting interviews and to use that non-verbal behavior to my advantage. To be willing to change the line of questioning when the suspect portrays defensive tendencies. To recognize the suspect's behavior and "push the right buttons" to get at the truth. It was a good class and I would recommend it.
The class was very informative regarding observing behavioral norms and their subsequent changes in interview subjects. The instructor, Roger Strecker, was well versed on the subject and presented the subject credibly and understandably. The focus was on watching for behaviors which could indicate deception and looking for areas that may provide an opening for getting to the truth. Strecker covered such topics as the physiology of the brain and the functions of its various parts as well as observable voluntary and involuntary behaviors that help the interviewer in determining truth or deception..
ABOUT OUR TRAINING:
We have trained members from the following organizations:
Department of Homeland Security - Air & Marine Unit
Department of Homeland Security - ICE
Putnam County Sheriffs Office
Drug Enforcement Administration
Maui Police Department - Criminal Investigations Division
State of Hawaii, Office of the Attorney General, Office of Investigations
St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, St. Johns County Florida
Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations - US Department of Agriculture
City and County of Honolulu Liquor Commission
State of Hawaii Department of Public Safety - Internal Affairs Unit
Department of the Navy
Honolulu Police Department
City and County of Honolulu, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
Outrigger Resorts
State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services
Maui Memorial Medical Center
Castle Medical Center
Department of Defense
Hawaii Pacific University
University of Hawaii
Department of Homeland Security
Central Intelligence Agency
Grand Wailea Resort - Maui, Hawaii