Criminal investigation

Interviewing a Criminal: Who Is Interviewing Whom?

Whenever a criminal is participating in an interview, two evaluations are occurring. The law enforcement, corrections, or mental health professional is officially in charge and posing questions to make whatever assessment is necessary.  However, the criminal is conducting his own evaluation as well.  He cases out the interviewer whom he wants to win over to his point of view.  He has behaved similarly throughout his entire life with people who seek to hold him accountable or who are about to impose disagreeable consequences that he is trying to mitigate or avoid altogether. He is well-practiced as he seeks to gain advantage and struggles to overcome an adversary, perhaps even hoping to convert him into an advocate.  The criminal has previously maneuvered in such a manner with parents, teachers, counselors, peers, and others.