Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Statement Analysis Trainings: One to Four Day Trainings And Beyond



One to Four Day Training for Law Enforcement.  Upon completion of first day "Introduction to Statement Analysis", the attendee is eligible for advanced training, both in seminars, and ongoing on line training. 

University of Maine approved CEU hours available for both in person and online training.  



In the above training, a cold case detective requested analysis of a 911 call transcript in which the caller had passed a polygraph and been cleared.  Rather than analyze the statement privately, the Captain had it done publicly, with the input from the class, on day two. 

The analysis revealed that the caller was deceptive and responsible for the deaths.  

The method employed for this conclusion was from the "Expected versus the Unexpected" and attendees of training seminars should expect similar results.  The principles applied here are no different than the principles applied in all statements, letters, emails, and interviews.  

In the seminar, Day One is dedicated to learning the basic principles of Statement Analysis, with practical hands-on work of prepared statements and submitted, "cold" statements." 

In the analysis of "cold statements" (that is, those which are not known to analyst), the only information allowed to the analyst is the allegation, or, the reason for the statement. The case file is not viewed until the analysis is complete. This is to keep outside influence from the work being done. 

Day Two is generally dedicated to some advanced techniques in analysis, as well as a continuation of actual analysis. 

Day Three begins with advanced analysis (including anonymous threats) and introduces Analytical Interviewing. 

Day Four takes statements for analysis, and conducts actual interviewing from the statements. This also includes analytical report writing which 'wipes off the fingerprints' of the writer and will produce a legally sound 'affidavit-like' document that has no need for persuasive language, as the facts, alone, are all that is needed. We use "reduction" or, the reverse of statement analysis, to produce a short, concise, and powerful report.  This is helpful for prosecutors, managers, supervisors, and anyone who needs to write a report for superiors.  

Analytical Interviewing is the legally sound, non-intrusive, non-threatening, and non-interpreting method of gathering in of information in which the subject (the person being interviewed) does as much as 80% of the talking.  

It begins with

1.  Open Ended Questions:  "What happened?" and "What happened, next?" and then proceeds to:
2.  Follow up questions based upon the language of the subject.  The Interviewer seeks to avoid, at any possible place, introducing new language to the subject.  

(This is critical in child interviews. )

3.  Then, the interview moves to what has been revealed in the statement.  Often, especially if a statement is at least a full page in length, we have a 'profile' of the writer (or speaker, if transcripts from video) where the traits of the personality has emerged.  We now tailor our questions to suit the subject's personality.  For example, in theft cases, we avoid the use of morally charged language and will use "take" instead of "stolen", or in sexual assault, "touch" and not "molest."

4.  We then move to actual direct questions, using the subject's own words, from the analysis of the statement. 

In our analysis, we most often find deception via missing, or suppressed information.  We know "where" the information is missing, but often do not know "what" is missing.  We target our questions at the place in the statement "where" the information went "missing."  

In law enforcement, interrogation may begin here.  This is where there is a dramatic change in percentage of speaking with accusations of guilt being employed.  

Analytical Interviewing is of value for anyone who needs information.  

Medical professionals 
Social workers
Therapists 
Attorneys, both prosecution and private 
Human Resource professionals
Journalists
Investigators, civil and criminal 
Business professionals 
Insurance 

We have specifically designed seminars for:

Law Enforcement
Human Resources
Medica
Corporate
Social Work including Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services. Licensing 

We help companies design and then analyze, employment interviews.  The use of Statement Analysis in the employment process has proven:

*To reduce theft
*To reduce false claims of sexual harassment, injury, disability, etc.  This is a sure-stop method against those who hope to "game the system" rather than honest employment
*To win Inappropriate Unemployment Claims 
*To solve disputes between employees

The Continuing Education Units (5 CEUs, University of Maine) come from the live, ongoing trainings.  This is essential for those who have learned the principles of analysis, and now need to 'retrain' the brain for skilled listening.  

The rewards for law enforcement are more obvious than the rewards for the private sector, as cases can be solved, quickly, protecting the innocent public from false accusation, and quickly getting to the truth.  

Today, most companies wisely investigate themselves and a well investigated and documented case will protect the company from inappropriate litigation, shrinkage, and damage to a hard-earned reputation.  

Even patrol officers do well to learn "skilled listening" and how to gain information effectively "on the fly" in street interviews.  

Contact us for scheduling. 

We may offer an Introductory Course online...stay tuned. 

21 comments:

John Mc Gowan said...

OT:

Woman Faces Off With Father Over The Unsolved Death Of Her Sister (VIDEO)

Penny's sister Shannon was found dead in her car at the bottom of a cliff more than five years ago, and her death was ruled a homicide. The case remains unsolved. Now Penny is accusing her father of being involved in his own daughter’s death, an accusation her father vehemently denies.

"I know you have paid someone to kill Shannon. Don't sit there and act like you're so innocent," she says in the video above.

Why is she choosing to air her accusation on national TV? Watch more here, and see the entire episode of Dr. Phil on Monday.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/daughter--accuses-dad_n_6591992.html?ir=Crime&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000021

Seagull said...

Peter,

Is this training available on line for people who aren't from a law enforcement background?

Chris (Seagull)

Buckley said...

Interesting case, John- I found this- note the "denial"...

One man who says the finger has been pointed at him is Hercutt's father, Ted Hercutt.

"I'd never have anything to do with murdering one of my children, murdering anybody, and for people to be that gutty and ugly to be saying things like that, I know where they'll be going, and it ain't gonna be heaven," Hercutt said.

Hercutt says he has been both angered and hurt by the accusations that have swirled around him over the past year.

He denies having any involvement in his daughter's death, although he readily admits their relationship was strained because of an ongoing financial and real estate dispute.

"Things that me and her went through, it was bad, I can't make up to her, whether it was my fault or her fault," he said. "It's just hard to sit there and realize the good times you wasted."

That strained relationship was evident in Shannon Hercutt's will. In it, she wrote, "It is my specific intent that neither my father, Ted Hercutt, nor his spouse inherit anything from my estate."

Still, Ted Hercutt filed a claim against the estate, asking to be repaid more than $1,100 for the flowers that topped his daughter's casket and more than $200 for the wig she wore that day.

He says he did not pick out the flowers that day and was told the estate would pay for everything.

"Well, I'm married," Ted Hercutt said. "(My wife is) not her mother, that's her money, too. And then, also, I wouldn't have spent $1,200 for the roses anyway."

That dispute is just one example of the ongoing turmoil within the family.

John Mc Gowan said...

Thanks Buckley.

This looks like it will be very interesting to watch.
Here is 3 more clips.


A Family Divided over an Unsolved Murder

http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/2350

Anonymous said...

Peter,

What a wonderful letter of acknowledgement! It shows how useful your knowledge of statement analysis was in cracking a case! Keep up the good work!

trustmeigetit said...

This is great to see. LE needs to learn statement analysis. Clearly with the number of unsolved murders and missing people.

It's time for LE to see past the lies and BS and go after the guity.

SA to me shows us the guilt more than any other technique.

Anonymous said...



INDIANAPOLIS - The father of a missing one-month-old baby Delano Wilson, last seen in Aug. 2014, is facing murder charges linked to the disappearance, police confirmed Wednesday.

Previous: Search continues for abducted 'baby Delano'

A warrant was issued for Willie Wilson, of Indianapolis, in connection with the investigation.

Watch RTV6 and refresh this page for updates.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Print this article Back to Top

GeekRad said...

Thanks Buckley
"I'd never have anything to do with murdering one of my children, murdering anybody, and for people to be that gutty and ugly to be saying things like that, I know where they'll be going, and it ain't gonna be heaven," Hercutt said."

Not a reliable denial!

Peter, I would be interested in the online training if it is geared to hiring and business SA.

GeekRad said...

Thanks Anon at 3:02! Good news.

John Mc Gowan said...

OT:

Father faces murder charge in case of missing baby Delano Wilson

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 4, 2015) – After months of no new developments in the case of missing baby Delano Wilson, prosecutors filed a murder charge against his father, Willie Wilson.

Wilson was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon. Taniasha Perkins, Wilson’s girlfriend and the child’s mother, was also taken into custody.

Missing Persons detectives and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office have prepared a probable cause affidavit to charge Wilson despite the absence of a body. Such a case would be based on circumstantial evidence, such as inconsistent statements from Wilson, cooperation from another witness or evidence seized during the search.

Indianapolis Metropolitan police investigated the disappearance of the 1-month-old child, which was reported on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. The baby’s father told police a man and a woman approached him in an alley in the 1400 block of Henry Street, robbed him, pistol-whipped him and then took the baby. The case triggered an Amber Alert.

A day after Delano disappeared Perkins, spoke to the media and made an impassioned plea for her son’s safe return. Police also released audio from Wilson’s 911 call in which he said, “All I want is my son. I am begging, please search. I love my son.”

The Amber Alert was cancelled on August 29 at the request of IMPD.

The search for baby Delano went on for several weeks, although police never found him. On Sept. 1, police served a search warrant at the home of the boy’s parents. Police questioned Perkins at the home and eventually took her away in a police car. She was not handcuffed.

Days later, investigators searched Little Eagle Creek and a nearby wooded area on the west side. The FBI also became involved in the investigation. Two federal agents questioned the family.

The Ten Point Coalition held a faith walk on Sept. 5 encouraging the community to come together and urging anyone with information about the case to step forward. Delano’s family attended the event.

On Sept. 27, a month after the baby disappeared, his family released sketches of the suspects who allegedly took Delano in hopes of generating more tips in the case.

After that, the case remained quiet. Few updates were provided in the months to follow although police said the investigation remained open.

Last month, Wilson appeared in court in an unrelated case. He told FOX59 he thinks about his son all the time.

http://fox59.com/2015/02/04/father-faces-murder-charge-in-case-of-missing-baby-delano-wilson/

GetThem said...

As a mom, I would love to take the on line introductory course. I'm only 1.5 years away from having TWO teens in the house and I need every piece of help I can get lolllll!!!

Chris said...

I am a bear of very little brain. If I had read the whole post properly earlier, I would have noted the point about possibly offering online training. My apologies. The benefits of further information presenting itself when it's read again after a period of time. I've learned something. I'll take the positive.

Unknown said...

I would love to take an online course!

GetThem said...

"A bear of very little brain" lolll, I love it. I'll have to remember that one for Me, it fits!

Tania Cadogan said...

I would love to take your online training course.
I am addicted to statement analysis and i need my fix :)

Anonymous said...

That city must have a speedy postal service, same day delivery Feb 4, 2015?

Tania Cadogan said...

off topic

Brian Williams, the nation’s top-rated news anchor, has admitted fabricating a tale of being shot down in a helicopter over Iraq a dozen years ago.

Williams apologized on the air Wednesday evening, saying: “I made a mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago.”

Earlier, the NBC anchor told Stars & Stripes, which broke the story: “I would not have chosen to make this mistake. I don’t know what screwed up in my mind that caused me to conflate one aircraft with another.”

Williams did not make the claim in reporting on the incident in 2003. But he told the false story on the air in 2013, and lied about it again last Friday.

The admission raises serious questions about his credibility in a business that values that quality above all else. Williams is the longest-serving network anchor, his “NBC Nightly News” has been No. 1 in the ratings for nearly all of the last decade, and his comedic skills have led him to guest-host “Saturday Night Live” and become a regular on the “Daily Show.”

For such a high-profile journalist to acknowledge that he essentially invented a story that dramatized his bravery in a war zone is hard to fathom. Williams said he had misremembered the story and was sorry.

In a 2013 interview with CBS’s David Letterman, Williams said: "We were in some helicopters. What we didn’t know was, we were north of the invasion. We were the northernmost Americans in Iraq. We were going to drop some bridge portions across the Euphrates so the Third Infantry could cross on them. Two of the four helicopters were hit, by ground fire, including the one I was in, RPG and AK-47." That interview was first noted by the Washington Post.

Williams repeated the tale last week as he was paying tribute at a New York Rangers hockey game to retired soldier who provided security for grounded helicopters while Williams was in Iraq in 2003.

“The story actually started with a terrible moment a dozen years back during the invasion of Iraq when the helicopter we were traveling in was forced down after being hit by an RPG,” the anchor told viewers. “Our traveling NBC News team was rescued, surrounded and kept alive by an armor mechanized platoon from the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry.”

But his account was contradicted by crew members of the 159th Aviation Regiment on board a Chinook copter that was hit by two rockets and small arms fire. They told Stars & Stripes that Williams was nowhere near that helicopter and two other Chinooks in the formation that took fire.

The anchor and his NBC crew arrived in the area west of Baghdad on another helicopter about an hour later, they told the newspaper. The chopper landed because of an Iraqi sandstorm and was grounded by weather for two days.

“No, we never came under direct enemy fire to the aircraft,” Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Miller, the flight engineer on Williams’ helicopter, was quoted as saying.

Some of the crew members on the Chinook that was hit were clearly upset with the anchor’s now-discredited claim. Lance Reynolds, the flight engineer, told Stars & Stripes it had been a “life-changing” trauma and “felt like a personal experience that someone else wanted to participate in and didn’t deserve to participate in.”

NBC trumpeted the Williams saga, airing a story on March 26, 2003, with the headline: “Target Iraq: Helicopter NBC’s Brian Williams Was Riding In Comes Under Fire.” But he did not claim to be in the downed chopper, saying: “On the ground, we learn the Chinook ahead of us was almost blown out of the sky.”

In a 2008 blog post, he again wrote that the “Chinook helicopter flying in front of ours (from the 101st Airborne) took an RPG to the rear rotor.”


Tania Cadogan said...



Is misremembered the new buzzword for outright lying?

Misremembered would be perhaps getting the time wrong or the day wrong for an experienced event.
It would mean getting someones name wrong or the order of an experienced event.

What it doesn't mean is fabricating something that didn't happen (fabricating a reality) or placing oneself at the centre of an event that did happen but in which you were not physically involved

If you were shot down by enemy fire you would remember it since it would stand out.
If you witnessed an event you may place yourself at the event such as location and day, you would not claim you were the actual victim.

it is not a mistake, it is a deliberate lie.
Using the excuse fog of memory doesn't pass the smell test.
The stress of where he was doing what he was would have been clearly imprinted in his mind. It was 12 years ago not 50.b>

John Mc Gowan said...

I too would like to do online training if available.

Anonymous said...

Liar , liar pants on fire

Unknown said...

I would love the opportunity to train in Statement Analysis. I'm not in Law Enforcement, just a security guard in Canada, but I've always had an interest in deception detection (especially when Lie To Me was still airing) and was hooked. I searched the internet for anything that I could find, and that's when I saw Mark McClish's website, as well as TheirWords. I emailed Mr. McClish who told me there isn't a market for deception detection in Canada because our police forces internalize it. That being said, I find it interesting and one of those things that clicks with who I am, and with what I choose to do in life. Your blog, Peter, has fueled my desire to learn Statement Analysis. Thank you for taking the time to share your education and experiences with all of us. You are an inspiration to me.