WITNESS INTERVIEWS
We support the defense of YOUR side of the story
Conducting the witness interview is a critical aspect in every investigation. Witnesses play a vital role in the discovery process in both criminal and civil defense cases.
Properly trained professional investigators benefit the legal practitioner enormously because they can approach witnesses as objective third-party contacts.
The witness interview should only be performed once the defense investigator has reviewed all the relevant data pertaining to a case. In criminal and civil defense cases, the investigator should review the entire discovery or relevant data, prior to the interview. Preparation is critically important prior to the interview of any potential witness(s).
The interview should be attempted in a setting that is comfortable to the person being interviewed. The rapport that you establish with a witness can make a difference. When interviewing the witness(s) the most important part of the interview is to listen to your witness.
No one should be ruled out as a potential witness, witnesses can be medical personnel, co-workers, teachers, family members, victim family members or friends, or even law enforcement personnel.
The primary purpose of a witness interview is to determine if an individual made pertinent observations of an incident and has relevant, material, and/or useful information to provide. During the witness interview a recorded or written statement may be needed in the event that the witness provided useful or relevant information that may assist the criminal or civil defense attorney.
Interviewing witnesses can take years to master as an investigator. Preparation and having a systematic approach will result in successful interviews of witnesses.
Florida Defense Investigations has years of experience in mastering the investigative interview process. Our systematic approach and preparedness is apparent in every interview that is performed.