Witness interview strategy for critical incidents (WISCI)
| Date | 12 November 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-03-2018-0007 |
| Pages | 268-278 |
| Published date | 12 November 2018 |
| Author | Kevin Smith,Becky Milne |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Witness interview strategy for critical
incidents (WISCI)
Kevin Smith and Becky Milne
Abstract
Purpose –High-profile critical incidents involving multiple witnesses, particularly terrorist attacks, have
increased over the years. The purpose of this paper is to describe the components of a witness interview
strategy for this type of investigation. Central to these cases is a need for a triage system which deals with a
large number of witness/victim interviews that must be conducted fast time.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper was developed based onthe experience of the authors who
provide practical advice and support to these types of investigations and a dialogue with police interview
advisers involved in developing this type of strategy.
Findings –A witness interview strategy for critical incidents involving multiple witnesses should be
set within a framework that covers initial contact with the witnesses, the interview process and
post-interview processes.
Practical implications –It is important that a witness interview strategy is developed for any critical incident
involving multiple witnesses to ensure that what could otherwise be a chaotic process is effectively managed.
Originality/value –No other papers have been published that consider the development of witness
interview-strategies for multiple-witnesses in critical incidents.
Keywords Terrorism, Witness, Critical-incident, Interview strategy, Multiple witnesses, Police investigation
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
A critical incident in England and Wales is defined by the College of Policing (2013a) in authorised
professional practice as:
Any incident where the effectiveness of the police response is likely to have a significant impact on the
confidence of the victim, their family and/or the community.
Critical incidents take a variety of forms including disasters resulting in mass casualties,
terrorist attacks, public order operations, hate crime and anti-social behaviour or police
complaints investigations leading to a serious breakdown of trust between the police and the
community. Some critical incidents are investigated as major crimes involving murder or
corporate manslaughter.
The number of police investigations into high profile critical incidents involving multiple witnesses
has increased over the last few years, particularly in relation to terrorism. Given the relative
infrequency with which these incidents occur, their varied nature and geographical spread, it
seems reasonable to assume that the police officers involved in these investigations will usually
have limited experience of them. Therefore, there may be some variations in the quality of the
witness interview strategies developed for these investigations.
Trauma is a major concern in all critical incidents, particularly those involving mass casualties and
terrorism. Even though this paper discusses trauma with particular reference to the interview it
should not ever be seen as something to be bolted onto any investigative strategy. It is rather the
case that trauma should be viewed as a significant issue that runs through the entire investigative
process from the point of initial contact with witnesses onwards.
Received 4 March 2018
Revised 30 April 2018
Accepted 30 April 2018
Kevin Smith is based at the
National Crime Agency,
London, UK.
Becky Milne is Professor in
Forensic Psychology at the
University of Portsmouth,
Portsmouth, UK.
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VOL. 20 NO. 4 2018, pp. 268-278, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794 DOI 10.1108/JFP-03-2018-0007
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