Rapport building in suspect interviewing: A comparison of relationship- and procedure-based approaches in a laboratory setting.

Abstract

Both researchers and practitioners have stressed the importance of developing rapport in the investigative interviewing of criminal suspects. There is, however, no clear definition of what constitutes rapport and ways of achieving and maintaining rapport. Most research on rapport building with suspects have focused on a positive personal bond between the investigator and suspect (i.e., relationship-based approach), while more recent research suggests the merits of a neutral type of rapport building that focuses on developing a mutual understanding of the interrogation process and roles (i.e., procedure-based approach). The present study thus aimed to examine the effects of relationship-and procedure-based rapport building approaches on suspect interviewing outcome. Using a modified version of Russano, Meissner, Narchet, and Kassin's (2005) cheating paradigm, "guilty" participants were interviewed using different rapport building approaches in a laboratory setting. We found that participants were more likely to confess in the procedure-based condition than in the relationship-based and control conditions. However, both approaches did not have an effect on the number of details participants were willing to disclose. We also found that the procedure-based approach affected participants' perception about the evidence. Theoretical and practical implications for rapport building in suspect interviewing are discussed.

Rapport‐building: Chat versus in‐person witness interviews

“…Moreover, our exploratory analysis showed that participants who perceived higher rapport with the investigator in terms of cultural similarity also provided more central and correct details, suggesting a benefit of cultural affiliation. There is emerging evidence demonstrating that cultural background plays a key role in how interviewees communicate and build relationships with interviewers (Beune et al., 2010; Huang & Teoh, 2019; Wachi et al., 2014). In cross‐cultural interviews (where interviewees and investigators are from different backgrounds), building rapport can be challenging due to varying cultural norms related to verbal and non‐verbal communication (Abbe & Brandon, 2014).…”

Police Officers’ Interrogation Expertise and Major Objectives in Police Service and Training: A Comprehensive Overview of the Literature

“…Rapport can be promoted by both nonverbal ( Collins et al, 2002 ) and verbal approaches ( Krix and Sauerland, 2013 ; Vallano and Schreiber Compo, 2011 ). Moreover, relationship-based or procedurally-based rapport can be established ( Huang and Teoh, 2019 ). In particular, beneficial techniques are direct reactions to the other person, active listening, mirroring, self-revelation, showing similarities, continuous and repeated contact, and contrasting ( Kelly et al, 2013 ; cf.…”

Using disclosure, common ground, and verification to build rapport and elicit information.

“…However, the use of rapport-based interviewing tactics during interviews appears to be effective in reducing such strategies (Alison et al, 2014a). In experimental studies, building rapport has also been shown to increase cooperation and admissions from individuals in both Western (Brimbal et al, 2019; Evans et al, 2014) and non-Western populations (Huang & Teoh, 2019; Wachi et al, 2018). Field and observational data suggest that rapport-based tactics facilitate information obtained from real-world suspects (Alison et al, 2013; K. Collins & Carthy, 2019; C. E. Kelly et al, 2016; Walsh & Bull, 2012); human intelligence sources (Nunan et al, 2020); and victims of crime (Kim et al, 2020).…”