Part III Investigative interviewing | Section II Initial preparation • reviewing any statements made by other parties that may be relevant to, or refer to, the interviewee • undertaking media searches (some jurisdictions have companies that will, for a fee, review media archives for information about an individual) • checking whether any other information has already been gathered about the interviewee, perhaps in relation to a previous investigation or complaint • obtaining any other relevant background information. The investigator might also decide to conduct an Internet search regarding the interviewee; for example, seeing if access can be legally gained to their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Myspace accounts, or any other social media source. The purpose is to find any useful background information. That might include interests and affiliations that may be useful in establishing a rapport with the person during the interview. In addition, the investigator should also establish: • what part the interviewee played in the issue or incident being investigated • what role they play in the organization being investigated • what is their background • what relationships the interviewee has to other witnesses • whether there are any special considerations, such as concerns about confidentiality • whether gender, ethnicity, race, caste, class, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, residence or other considerations could form a possible barrier or help develop a rapport. 4. THINK ABOUT WHAT THE INTERVIEWEE MAY BE THINKING Put yourself in their position. This is probably the most important consideration in preparing for an interview. Some questions that the investigator should consider include: • Will the interviewee be keen to give as full an account as they can? • Do barriers exist that may prevent this happening? • What should the interviewee know? • Does the interviewee have an “agenda”? • Is the interviewee likely to have an interest in the outcome of the investigation and, if so, what is it? • What subjects would they probably like to avoid during the interview? • What areas may the interviewee be reluctant to discuss, for whatever reason? • What questions will the interviewee anticipate? • What is likely to be their attitude to the investigation? • Has the interviewee had an opportunity to tell their story previously? Consider what the interviewee’s perception of you might be. What or who do you appear to represent? Will you be seen as a threat or someone who may be able to help? Will the interviewee think that you are biased? To what extent can you offer the interviewee protection from reprisal or retaliation? Some witnesses may not be happy to be interviewed. Others may not trust you or understand either your role or the purpose of the investigation. On the other hand, some witnesses may see the interview as a means of telling their story or seeking redress for an injustice they have experienced. Chapter 9: Preliminary research | 59