Library Entry # 646
Marshall’s Law Dateline – “Communications” is part of Texas Drifter series to assist the citizen investigator in gathering tips, leads, clues, and evidence for future American Domestic War Crimes Trials. Why, too provide justice for America’s unwashed and Americans with middle class attitudes victimized by Obama’s Marxist-fascist policies and Obama’s Republicans’ like (to name few) McConnell, Cornyn, and Boehner’s corporate fascist policies.
Perhaps the skill most taken for granted is the ability to communicate with other individuals. Citizen investigators need to be subtle as they cannot rely on the intimidating factor of law enforcement badges.
Use specific direct language to communicate and avoid glitter language. An example of glitter language is new car dealerships marketing used rental equipment as “program cars.”
Also avoid misusing word meanings in communication efforts. For example, killing feeder trained Whitetail Deer from a tower stand is shooting, not hunting.
Words have at least two common uses: convey specific meanings, or express ideas. Using words to convey concepts is great for creating theory, and since knowledge evolves from theory to accurate empirical descriptions; specific words meanings complete the process.
For example, the specific meaning of conscience is against science (con-science). When used as a concept word, conscience implies emotional choice based on learned guilt. Since governments operate by bureaucratic policies that prevent choice; governments have no consciences; hence conclusion that governments represent anti-Christ.
Assignments involve collecting empirical information for their clients; this is accomplished by making specific word meanings one of their primary tools.
Even though slang represents coarse or undereducated dialect, learn to be able to understand slang so as to communicate with those who cannot converse without slang.
One of the most vital tools is the ability of communication. Communication takes one of several shapes and is determined by strategy.
Communication can seek to gather information from a source, communication can seek to give information to a source, communication can seek to negotiate a settlement with a source, and communication can be used to measure the accuracy of a source’s information.
Approaches to dealing with possibly hostile or threatening contacts are (1) avoid contact, (2) negotiate (3) manipulate to avoid or reduce a threat, (4) warning, (5) neutralize with offensive defense.
The value of mutual understanding in client, staff, and information source relationships has been greatly undervalued in the information collection industry.
If observing from a distance is long distance surveillance, then interviewing should be considered short distance surveillance.
There are four steps to understanding or improving a communication process. The first is to establish rapport and control the level of communication between the two parties.
The second is to talk to not at other individuals. Part of taking to and not at also involves being direct, and expressing circumstances in a non-hostile or non-confrontational manner.
Third, listen to and read the expressions (eye and body movements) of the individual that one is being giving information to, or taking information from.
Fourth, it is important to develop the skill of directly or subtlety verifying the message which is being exchanged.
Conveying the exact message is a precision art and requires an extensive vocabulary and understanding of exactly what each word’s meaning is.
Constant consistent exercise will build and improve knowledge of and command of specific words for specific circumstances in order to improve the transfer of information.
Interviewing; negotiating; and interrogating are different tools.
Interrogation relies on isolation, humiliation, deprivation, and intimidation to obtain forced not voluntary information. Professionals never use inappropriate tools for situation.
Two rules about dealing with potential witnesses: first, never waste their time, and second never approach them with preconceived opinions about their personalities. Some of the most courteous and helpful witnesses are those portrayed as “uncooperative” by clients.
Learn to be an expert in managing relations with hostile, apathetic, dull or scared witnesses. The process starts with being a good listener.
Good interview skills bring out information from people who may be reluctant.
Always remain in control of the interview conversation, while thinking about what the subject is saying. It may be helpful to have the interviewee repeat what was said so that there are no misunderstandings.
Consent recording laws are tools that can facilitate study and review of interviews.
Preparing questions goes a long way in helping conduct a professional interview.
Generally it is better to have the client attorney design and approve a list of questions because attorneys tend to look at work from a different prospective; and questions that may be of interest to surveillance managers or agents may not be of interest to the attorney.
Again, try to get the attorney to provide you with a list of questions to use in your interviews. There are many interview skill classes available, but it is important to be knowledgeable and aware of body movements.
Subtle messages and eye contact, body movements and other things can help both student and scientist of the interview. Interviewing is a crucial tool because generally 90 percent of collateral information originates from personal interviews.
Since teaching requires repetition, this segment cannot be over stressed, learning to continually examine and improve interview techniques. Another component of interviewing is not interrupting the person being interviewed. The more people talk or ramble, the more likely one is to get useful information.
Another technique is to ask or repeat the question in different ways. This is necessary since most people do not know, or have not learned how to answer specific questions.
How many times do people ask a question, and get a totally unrelated answer. Sometimes the cause may be intentional evasiveness on part of the person being interviewed; but most times, it is the respondent’s lack of education of how to respond to direct questions.
Witness statements should be taken sooner, not later.
Times change and so do people’s memory or desire to get involved. Many solid cases have been trashed by neglected opportunity to take a statement and have it notarized. This work becomes routine if the citizen investigator is a state licensed notary public.
Recording voluntary statements helps preserve accurate duplication of witnesses’ comments. Voluntary witnesses should be shown the recorder, explained its use, and asked for permission to record their observations. When dealing with voluntary witnesses, good public relations will increase productivity.
Involuntary witnesses’ comments may be covertly recorded for impeachment purposes. (In “consent recording states”)The foundation of preserving witness testimony is essentially timely documentation be it by overt or covert means.
Unfortunately, many people take it for granted that they are great interviewers. Skills that are not continually updated, polished, examined, or tested tend to lose their sharpness. The productive interview is probably the field agent’s most important skill. TRUE or FALSE
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