The art of the interrogation | Forensic Files

we were very very concerned about this interview with this guy that we were gonna be sitting here talking to a
sociopath who believed he had done nothing wrong the first thing you're not under arrest
at that point what was important was to allow him allow him to establish his narrative I didn't want to walk in there
predisposed to what I thought I wanted him to lead me down the road of where he is want to go back to the time when you
first met Michelle we met at work I think you know when Phil let's him tell his narrative he's finding out about the
mindset of Mark he's listening to certain things about Mark's life minor things even about his diabetes and all
that's going to play out and be very important but at some point in time you have to confront him about something
let's get to last Saturday the 22nd okay what's your walks out slams the door to
a room and about 10 15 minutes later I open the door to say well you know what and Scott the key is what are two things
people hate to be called a liar and a thief right so you don't want to say hey you're lying to me you stole her life
you know you you you I think you murdered this woman so you got to be careful on the words that you use you've
laid the groundwork for what happened in that apartment and I'm on board with you
and so Phil's transition into the actual point where he's going to confront mark
I thought was outstanding I need you to explain to me what happened well remember the interview
room I mean you we're looking at everything all the components of the interview we're looking at body language
we're listening to what they're saying we're listening to the way they are saying it because that's going to allow
us to frame where we're gonna go and as you're watching him you're altering what
you're going to say next I'm putting it together yes we've been doing this time and the art of the interview I mean
there just comes that point where you know now is the moment I want you to explain to me what you felt like you had
to do to protect Katie you brought up Katie yes what was the strategy in that well obviously Kayden was the most
important part of his life in his narrative this was pretty much all about protecting Kayden
so I knew that I was going to have to frame whatever he did in that apartment in that context wasn't about hurting
Michelle this was about protecting Kayden if you continue to keep it it will Fester phil was masterful and
telling a complex story about how something so terrible could go so wrong and broke it down very simply for mark
and he was able to use visuals something that mark could focus in on it'll eat away at you like that diabetes is either
way in your foot it was a fantastic visual for him to completely understand and make that connection and that's what
it's about Phil and I often talk about it's making that connection with the person in the
room

Detective Fil Waters and Sergeant Brian Harris of the Houston Police Department talk to Correspondent Tracy Smith about the strategies they used to get Mark Castellano to confess to murdering his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Warner.

Brief Summary

Phil discusses interviewing a sociopath, focusing on narrative and psychological strategies.

Key points

Confronting a Sociopath. The interview reveals the challenges of confronting a sociopath who believes he's innocent.
The Importance of Narrative. Understanding the mindset of the interviewee is crucial for effective questioning.
Protecting Kayden. The interview strategy revolves around framing actions as protective rather than harmful.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

You don't want to say, 'Hey, you're lying to me.'.

1:16WatchFeb 8, 2015

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