Let’s take interviews for example. One of the most important skills an investigator can possess is that of interviewing. It’s how we gain critical information which helps us solve cases. How often have you foregone a personal interview for a phone one? Oh sure, it’s quick and easy. But there’s a price to be paid. It is difficult to develop a rapport with a witness in a phone interview. Your just a faceless voice on a phone. How many times have you hung up the phone and realized you didn’t ask an important question or you felt pressed for time.
In an in-person interview, I’ll spend 10/15 minutes talking to the person about their home, garden, hobby etc. before I get into the interview itself. People love to talk about things that interest them, and they become relaxed with your presence. You can get a lot more information that way then just going right into questioning them. You’re also developing and maintaining your people skills.
I think in this technology age we have a tendency to rely too much on the computer. Don’t get me wrong, computers are great. They have made our lives and our jobs infinitely easier. But there is a price to pay, and that is we can become office bound. If you don’t develop and utilize your people skills, you’ll lose them.
Being out of the office and on the street is like exercise. You feel better, think clearer, and most important, you can make things happen. I can’t tell you how many important interviews I got, how many neighbor tips I received, and how many important witnesses I was able to subpoena just because I went out there and did something.
I had a veteran police detective tell me when I first started out as an investigator that you don’t solve cases by sitting in your office waiting for the phone to ring. You have to go out there and make things happen. So push yourself away from that desk, turn off your computer, grab that case file and get out there and do something! You’ll feel better for it and you’ll solve cases.
