ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q4-2025

FBINAA.ORG | Q4 2025

EMMA K. GOLDSBY

Investigative interviews play a critical role in gathering information from suspects, witnesses, and victims. Traditional interrogation techniques, commonly rooted in Western communication norms, may be ineffective when applied to differing cultural contexts. A s law enforcement personnel navigate increasingly complex operational landscapes, understanding and leaning into cultural aspects specific to an interviewee can aid in efficiently building trust and collecting more reliable information. INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWS Popular investigative interviewing techniques prioritize CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION PATTERNS AND PREFERENCES Cultural frameworks shape how individuals communicate and interact. Studies on culture and communication consistently highlight several key theories. At the forefront is Edward Hall’s concept of high- and low-context cultures, which suggests that societies differ when communicating (Hall 1976; Hall & Hall, 1990). • High-Context Cultures: Value relationships and communicate through cues and norms • Low-Context Cultures: Value individualism and tasks and communicate directly

rapport and cooperation. Training law enforcement personnel in rapport- and evidence-based practices has improved relation ship dynamics, trust, and information disclosure in interview settings (Brimbal et al., 2021). This is illustrated by the success of the PEACE model. While cognitive interviewing focuses on enhancing memory retrieval through various recall techniques, the PEACE (Preparation, Engage, Account, Closure, Evaluation) interview model emphasizes the importance of active listening and rapport-building. Grounded in psychological research related to memory storage and recall, the model also accounts for how interviewer behaviors impact interviewees (Roberts, 2011). Ad ditional research indicates that trust is associated with higher quality disclosures, particularly in high-stakes situations.

High-context cultures commonly use implicit forms of communication, strongly relying on body language and shared knowledge. Conversely, in low-context cultures, explicit verbal communication is the norm. While most cultures exist on a con tinuum between the two, sharing high and low context character istics, preferred communication forms are also guided by these differentiations. For instance, high-context cultures prefer longer and verbal communications, while low-context populations gen erally enjoy frequent, quick, and written messages.

Figure 1: The effectiveness of strategies differs across various cultural contexts

CULTURAL CONTEXT

COMMUNICATION STYLE

INTERVIEW EFFECTIVENESS

POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS

Rational arguments and rational persuasion are more effective in eliciting case-related, personal information

More responsive to rational arguments and individual focused strategies

Low-Context Cultures

Direct, content-oriented

More responsive to rapport-building efforts and context-focused approaches

Demonstrating active listening is most effective; direct approaches may garner negative responses

High-Context Cultures

Indirect, relationship-oriented

Empathy and procedural fairness are important across cultures; liking and reciprocity are most common, overall

Effectiveness depends on matching strategies to cultural contexts

Varies, dependent on cultural background

Cross-Cultural

Sources: Beune, Giebels, & Taylor; Baker-Eck, Bull, & Walsh, 2020; Beune et al., 2010; Beune, 2009; Beune, Giebels, & Sanders, 2009; Chenier et al., 2022; Goodman-Delahunty & Howes, 2016

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