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Writing Fictional Police Interrogations

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 88 ratings
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This course is for novelists, screenwriters and general audiences who want to learn how to write authentic police interview and interrogation scenes. You will be taught by a retired, 22-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, who spent 6-years in one of the busiest homicide divisions in the country. Having worked nearly 200 murders, Sgt. Derek Pacifico will teach you what you need to know to write the most authentic and technically correct interrogation scenes.

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This course is for novelists, screenwriters and general audiences who want to learn how to write authentic police interview and interrogation scenes. You will be taught by a retired, 22-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, who spent 6-years in one of the busiest homicide divisions in the country. Having worked nearly 200 murders, Sgt. Derek Pacifico will teach you what you need to know to write the most authentic and technically correct interrogation scenes.

Included in this course are video lectures, slideshow presentations and the answers to a common set of frequently asked questions the sarge has been asked from writers from around the world. This course will span several hours, starting with Miranda Law and ending with the interrogation. You will learn about the preparation that goes into interviewing a murder suspect, the process of building rapport, the correct interrogation room set up, body language analysis and so much, much more.

Take advantage of the opportunity to hear from a real cop, with real experience without having to fly across the country or around the world to take one of his seminars. You are in for a real treat.

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Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches the proper procedures for interviewing and interrogating people suspected of murder
Taught by a veteran of the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department's homicide division
Includes video lectures and slideshow presentations
Covers topics such as Miranda Law, interrogation room set up, and body language analysis
Provides a unique opportunity to learn from a real-life law enforcement expert

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Reviews summary

Authentic police interrogation insights for writers

According to learners, this course is a goldmine of authentic, real-world insights for anyone looking to write realistic police interrogation scenes. Students consistently praise the instructor's unparalleled practical experience, describing his direct accounts and expertise as invaluable for novelists and screenwriters. The course is noted for its comprehensive coverage, including Miranda Law, rapport building, and body language analysis, providing concrete tools for enhancing fictional realism. While some learners mention the content's primary focus on the U.S. legal system and occasional production quality points, the overwhelming consensus highlights the course's unique perspective and actionable advice for crafting believable narratives.
Covers legal, procedural, and psychological aspects thoroughly.
"The detailed breakdown of Miranda rights, the setup of the interrogation room, and the psychology behind it all are incredibly useful."
"The course is well-structured and covers everything from legal aspects to practical techniques."
"I learned so much about the nuances of police procedure, body language, and building rapport."
Provides concrete strategies for realistic fictional scenes.
"As a screenwriter, this course has completely changed how I approach writing police scenes."
"It helped me write more believable characters."
"I found the practical tips for building tension and observing non-verbal cues extremely beneficial for my novel."
Insights from a veteran police officer enhance realism.
"Absolutely invaluable! Sgt. Pacifico shares incredible, real-world experience that brings authenticity to your writing."
"His experience shines through every lecture; it’s clear he knows his stuff."
"The detail Sgt. Pacifico goes into, based on his own cases, is incredible. It's not just theory; it's how it actually happens."
Primarily focuses on the American legal framework.
"Good information, but perhaps a bit too focused on the U.S. legal system for international writers like myself."
"While the general principles of rapport and interrogation are universal, the specific legal details are less applicable."
"I found the legal aspects less relevant since I don't write stories set in the US."
Some found delivery style and video production dated.
"While the instructor has great experience, the production quality of the videos felt a bit dated."
"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a little slow, but the content itself is top-notch."
"I found some early lectures felt a bit like a monologue, but the course picked up later."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing Fictional Police Interrogations with these activities:
Read Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets
Read this book to gain insights into the real-life experiences of homicide detectives. This will help you understand the challenges and complexities of police work, including the interrogation process.
View The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book.
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on the key points.
Review and Summarize Past Course Materials
Reviews past knowledge and refreshes memory of key concepts that are important for this course.
Show steps
  • Gather and organize course materials from previous experiences with similar topics
  • Review lecture notes, presentations, and resources
  • Summarize key points and concepts in your own words
Read 'Homicide Investigation: A Practical Guide for Investigators'
Provides a comprehensive guide to homicide investigation techniques and strategies.
View Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read and take notes on the chapters relevant to interrogation
  • Summarize key concepts and techniques discussed in the book
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Review Miranda Rights
Review online tutorials about the 5th Amendment and the procedures that must be followed when taking a suspect into custody for interrogation.
Show steps
  • Visit the ACLU website and read about Miranda Rights.
  • Watch a video on YouTube about how to conduct an interrogation.
Review Body Language Cues
Review online tutorials about body language cues that can indicate deception or nervousness. This will help you to more accurately assess the truthfulness of a suspect's statements.
Browse courses on Body Language
Show steps
  • Visit the FBI website and read about body language cues.
  • Watch a video on YouTube about how to read body language.
Participate in Discussion Forums on Interrogation Techniques
Engages students with others, broadening perspectives and sharing experiences.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant discussion forums or online communities
  • Introduce yourself and share your interests
  • Participate in discussions, share insights, and ask questions
Follow Online Tutorials on Interrogation Techniques
Provides practical demonstrations and exercises to enhance understanding.
Show steps
  • Search for reputable online tutorials on interrogation techniques
  • Select tutorials that cover relevant topics
  • Watch the tutorials, take notes, and practice the techniques
Conduct Role-Playing Exercises for Interviewing
Allows for simulated practice, improving communication and interrogation skills.
Show steps
  • Find a willing partner to role-play
  • Develop interview scenarios and assign roles
  • Practice conducting interviews, giving feedback, and improving techniques
Role Play Police Interrogation
Practice role playing a police interrogation with a friend or family member. One person should take the role of the suspect and the other person should take the role of the interrogator.
Browse courses on Interviewing
Show steps
  • Read the provided scenario.
  • Prepare questions to ask the suspect.
  • Conduct the interrogation.
  • Analyze the interrogation.
Develop an Interrogation Plan
Develop an interrogation plan for a hypothetical case. This will help you to apply the techniques you have learned in this course and to better understand the challenges of real-world interrogations.
Browse courses on Interviewing
Show steps
  • Read the case file.
  • Identify the key questions that need to be answered.
  • Develop an interrogation strategy.
  • Write an interrogation plan.
Develop a Storyboard for an Interrogation Scene
Improves visualization, planning, and understanding of interrogation techniques.
Show steps
  • Choose a hypothetical suspect and crime scenario
  • Outline the key questions, techniques, and expected responses
  • Sketch a storyboard that visually depicts the sequence of events
Write a Summary of Interrogation Techniques
Write a summary of the interrogation techniques you have learned in this course. This will help you to retain the information and to better understand how to apply it in practice.
Browse courses on Interviewing
Show steps
  • Review the course materials.
  • Identify the key interrogation techniques.
  • Write a summary of each technique.

Career center

Learners who complete Writing Fictional Police Interrogations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Novelist
This course is designed to help writers create authentic and technically correct police interview and interrogation scenes. As a novelist, you can use the knowledge and skills you gain from this course to enhance the realism and suspense of your writing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist
Screenwriter
The film industry relies on authentic and engaging police interrogations to captivate audiences. This course provides screenwriters with the tools and techniques needed to craft believable and compelling interrogation scenes that drive the narrative forward.
See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter
Police Officer
As a police officer, you can benefit from this course by gaining insights into the art of interviewing and interrogating suspects. By understanding the techniques taught by a seasoned veteran, you can improve your ability to gather crucial information and build strong cases.
See salaries and explore the career path for Police Officer
Detective
Detectives play a vital role in investigating crimes and solving cases. This course provides a comprehensive overview of police interrogation techniques, helping detectives enhance their skills and become more effective in their investigations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Detective
Criminal Profiler
Criminal profilers rely on their understanding of criminal behavior and interrogation techniques to develop psychological profiles of offenders. This course offers valuable insights into the interrogation process, enabling criminal profilers to better assess and understand the motives and actions of suspects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Criminal Profiler
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists work closely with law enforcement and legal professionals to provide expert analysis and testimony in criminal cases. This course enhances their understanding of police interrogation techniques, helping them assess the credibility of witness statements and provide valuable insights into the psychological aspects of criminal investigations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Psychologist
Journalist
Journalists often report on crime and criminal investigations. This course provides journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively interview and interrogate sources, enabling them to gather accurate and reliable information for their reporting.
See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist
Lawyer
Lawyers, particularly those specializing in criminal defense, can benefit from this course by gaining a deeper understanding of the interrogation process. By knowing the techniques used by law enforcement, lawyers can better prepare their clients for interrogations and effectively challenge any potential biases or inaccuracies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer
Investigator
Investigators are responsible for gathering information and conducting inquiries into various matters. This course provides investigators with the necessary skills to conduct effective interviews and interrogations, enabling them to uncover the truth and resolve cases.
See salaries and explore the career path for Investigator
Security Analyst
Security analysts assess risks and vulnerabilities to protect organizations from threats. This course provides security analysts with insights into interrogation techniques, enabling them to effectively interview witnesses and gather crucial information for security assessments and threat investigations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst
Teacher
Teachers can incorporate the principles of police interrogation into their teaching to enhance students' critical thinking and analytical skills. This course provides educators with a framework for teaching interrogation techniques, enabling them to foster a deeper understanding of criminal justice and investigative processes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher
Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts gather and analyze information to provide insights on potential threats and national security concerns. This course offers valuable training in interrogation techniques, enabling intelligence analysts to effectively assess the credibility of sources and gather crucial information for their analysis.
See salaries and explore the career path for Intelligence Analyst
Psychologist
Psychologists may be involved in evaluating individuals involved in legal cases. This course provides psychologists with insights into the interrogation process, helping them better understand the psychological dynamics at play and provide informed assessments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist
Social Worker
Social workers often work with individuals who have been involved in criminal investigations. This course provides social workers with the knowledge and skills to effectively interview and support clients, helping them navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker
Paralegal
Paralegals assist lawyers in various legal matters. This course provides paralegals with a foundation in police interrogation techniques, enabling them to better support lawyers during investigations, trials, and client consultations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Paralegal

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Writing Fictional Police Interrogations.
Cover image
Verbal Judo
Save
Provides techniques for building rapport and effectively communicating with suspects during interrogations.
Verbal Judo: Redirecting Behavior with Words
Paperback
$$
Verbal Judo, Updated Edition: The Gentle Art of...
Audible Audiobook
$$
Cover image
The Mad Sculptor
Save
Provides insights into the minds of murderers, their motivations, and their behavior. It helps readers understand the psychological factors that contribute to violent crime and can be a valuable resource for writing authentic interrogation scenes.
The Mad Sculptor
Paperback
Check
The Mad Sculptor
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Criminal Interrogation and Confessions
Save
This classic text on interrogation techniques provides a comprehensive overview of the Reid Technique.
Criminal Interrogation and Confessions
Paperback
Check
Criminal Interrogation and Confessions
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Criminal Investigation
Save
Explores the psychological aspects of interrogations and confessions, examining the factors that influence suspects' behavior and the techniques used to elicit information. It provides valuable insights for writing realistic and believable interrogation scenes.
Criminal Investigation
Paperback
Check
Criminal Investigation
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Essentials of the Reid Technique
Save
Provides a practical guide to interrogation techniques, focusing on the Reid Technique. It offers step-by-step instructions and real-world examples of how to conduct effective interrogations.
Essentials of the Reid Technique: Criminal...
Paperback
$$$$
Essentials Of The Reid Technique: Criminal...
Paperback
$$$
Essentials of the Reid Technique by Inbau, Fred E.,...
Unknown Binding
$$$$
Essentials of the Reid Technique: Criminal...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
I Have Lived in the Monster
Save
Provides practical guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses of crime. It covers techniques for establishing rapport, eliciting information, and documenting the interview process.
I Have Lived in the Monster: A Report From The Abyss
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation
Save
Provides background knowledge on crime scene investigation techniques, which can inform interrogation strategies.
Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation
Hardcover
$$$
Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, Seventh...
Hardcover
$$$
Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
The Law of Armed Conflict
Save
This website provides resources and information on interrogation techniques and best practices.
The Law of Armed Conflict
Paperback
Check
The Law of Armed Conflict
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Iranian-Russian Encounters
Save
This website provides a database of exonerations, including cases of wrongful interrogation.
Iranian-Russian Encounters (Iranian Studies)
Paperback
$$
Iranian-Russian Encounters: Empires and Revolutions...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Smoke But No Fire
Save
This website provides a database of exonerations, including cases of wrongful interrogation.
Smoke but No Fire: Convicting the Innocent of...
Hardcover
$$
Smoke but No Fire: Convicting the Innocent of...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Narcotopia
Save
This website provides resources and information on interrogation techniques and best practices.
Narcotopia: In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That...
Hardcover
$$
Narcotopia: In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches the proper procedures for interviewing and interrogating people suspected of murder
Taught by a veteran of the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department's homicide division
Includes video lectures and slideshow presentations
Covers topics such as Miranda Law, interrogation room set up, and body language analysis
Provides a unique opportunity to learn from a real-life law enforcement expert
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