What is an interview protocol?

An interview protocol is fundamentally a structured method for conducting interviews, which helps to ensure that interviews are consistent, systematic, and thorough. This structure typically includes a defined set of questions or topics that need to be covered, allowing interviewers to gather relevant information effectively while minimizing variability in responses due to differing interview techniques.

By utilizing an interview protocol, investigators can reduce biases in questioning and improve the reliability of the information obtained. This is particularly important in the context of investigations where accurate and complete information is critical for understanding the situation at hand.

While casual conversations with employees can provide informal insights, they lack the rigor and focus of a structured approach. Interrogation techniques differ significantly from interviews aimed at gathering information, as they are often more aggressive and focused on eliciting admissions of guilt. Guidelines for media interactions deal with managing public communication and do not pertain to the direct gathering of information from individuals during investigative processes. Therefore, a structured interview protocol is essential in the context of investigations to maintain objectivity and thoroughness.