When should suspect interviews be conducted in an investigation?

Conducting suspect interviews last in an investigation can be crucial for several reasons. First, it helps ensure that investigators have gathered as much evidence as possible before approaching the suspect. This evidence provides context and depth to the questions posed during the interview, allowing investigators to follow up on inconsistencies or corroborate information provided by the suspect with hard evidence.

Additionally, holding the interview until later in the investigation reduces the risk of compromising the integrity of the interview process and the evidence collected. Conducting interviews too early might result in a situation where the suspect is able to tailor their narrative based on initial findings or tips off investigators about certain lines of questioning.

By prioritizing evidence collection and analysis first, investigators can enter the interview with a stronger foundation, having already identified critical areas of inquiry that can lead to more productive questioning. This method helps in constructing a more robust case based on comprehensive facts rather than relying solely on the suspect's statement at the outset.

In contrast, interviewing first might lead to a scenario where critical insights could be missed, making it challenging to hold the suspect accountable later in the investigation. Furthermore, interviewing a suspect after their arrest can limit their willingness to cooperate and may require more formalities that can hinder the information-gathering process.