Writing Fictional Police Interrogations from Udemy

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.

Good to know

Know what's good

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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

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

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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

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Read the book.
Take notes on the key points.

Review and Summarize Past Course Materials

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Reviews past knowledge and refreshes memory of key concepts that are important for this course.

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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'

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Provides a comprehensive guide to homicide investigation techniques and strategies.

View Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and... on Amazon

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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

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Review Miranda Rights

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Review online tutorials about the 5th Amendment and the procedures that must be followed when taking a suspect into custody for interrogation.

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Visit the ACLU website and read about Miranda Rights.
Watch a video on YouTube about how to conduct an interrogation.

Review Body Language Cues

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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

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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

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Engages students with others, broadening perspectives and sharing experiences.

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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

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Provides practical demonstrations and exercises to enhance understanding.

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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

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Allows for simulated practice, improving communication and interrogation skills.

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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

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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

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Read the provided scenario.
Prepare questions to ask the suspect.
Conduct the interrogation.
Analyze the interrogation.

Develop an Interrogation Plan

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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.

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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

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Improves visualization, planning, and understanding of interrogation techniques.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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