A witness statement is one of the most important pieces of evidence an investigator can have, but it is also one that needs to be handled with extreme care, as it can easily be swayed by outside factors such as media coverage of the crime or even the people around them who may be influencing what happened.
If you're facing criminal charges, witnesses could make or break your case. However, you might not have the training or experience needed to find the information you're looking for. In that case, it's probably best to hire a private investigator.
How can a Private investigator help with witness interviews?
Witness interviews are not always straightforward and should always include an experienced private investigator. The more experience your investigator has, the easier it will be for them to conduct the interview and get the information you need from your witness to build your case.
A private investigator can assist in witness interviews, specifically by using their experience and professional training to obtain information that might have otherwise been missed.
They know how to ask good questions
Investigators are trained to ask good questions — ones that elicit responses but don't lead the subject in any particular direction. They know how not to ask a question so that they get the most accurate information possible. They also know things like where and when is the best place to interview each person.
They can find more information about people who might be reluctant to talk
Sometimes, people don't want to talk about their experiences or they don't want to testify against someone else. However, if they've been subpoenaed by the court, they have no choice but to show up and answer questions under oath. Private investigators can help you find out more about these witnesses before you have them in court.
Gathering Information Through Online Research
Most of the time, before private investigators begin their interviews with witnesses, they conduct some form of online research. This helps them gain a better understanding of the situation and background surrounding the case in question. More specifically, it enables them to create a list of questions that can be used during the interview process.
Conducting Interviews Through Phone or Email
While most interviews are conducted face-to-face, it's not uncommon for private investigators to first contact people over the phone or via email. This is especially true if they're trying to gather information from someone who lives far away from them.