Strategic Suspect Interview Techniques

Strategic interviewing is a vital, yet often overlooked, component of fire and explosive investigative methods and tools. During the presentation, previous interview videos will be utilized as examples. Presented by ATF Special Agent Dino Balos, this course provides easy and realistic suspect interview techniques to strengthen arson and explosive cases.

Course Topics:

- Rapport Simplified (including serial arsonists)

- How to Recognize a Suspect's "Cooperation Bait"

- Miranda Matters: How to Spot Overlooked Opportunities

- How to Pass the Ultimate Test of Voluntary Suspect Statements

- Strategic Bluffs

- Boxed in by Lies ("The False-X Factor'')

- Situational Themes, De-escalation, and the CSI Effect

- Gathering the Elements of the Offense & Covering the Legal Defenses

- Recording Interviews / Report Writing for the millennial & Gen Z audience

- Closing and Trial Readiness

- The Strategic Use of Federal firearms, explosives, and arson laws

Lunch will be provided at the noon break.

Host or Publisher Hamilton County Fire Chief's Association