Source: AGSAFE

1. Planning: Having a plan prior to interviewing people, will help you to ensure you that the critical information you need and from whom does not get overlooked in the investigation process.
a. Determine your objectives
i. What is unknown
ii. Outline questions that need to be asked
b. Identify who needs to be interviewed
c. Outline an interview schedule and location
i. Coordinate, if possible, interview times that are convenient for the interviewee
ii. Select interview locations that are comfortable and convenient for the interviewee and/or helps to facilitate in obtaining needed information

2. Conducting: Discussion process with interviewees, which helps in addressing unknowns and clarify details relevant to an investigation.
a. Setting the tone
i. Develop a rapport with the interviewee
ii. Explain the purpose of the interview
b. Interviewee introductions
i. Develop trust with the interviewee
ii. Understand the interviewees roles/responsibilities relevant to the investigation
c. Gathering details
i. Ask specific questions to obtain unknown information
ii. Ask follow-up questions for clarity or to obtain more detail
d. Summarize information
i. Review your planning outline to ensure unknown questions have been asked
ii. Review interviewees responses to ensure all new/additional information has been explored
iii. Review response for inconsistencies that need to be addressed
iv. Summaries the interview and your understanding in a logical manner with the interviewee to determine if anything seems inaccurate, if so ensure that the information is corrected

3. Documenting: Ensure that you have accurate information that can be referenced later on for report writing.
a. Take notes
b. Obtain signed written statements if necessary
c. Record the interview on tape, with permission, if needed

Questioning Techniques
Seven W’s
* What? (What happened?)
* When? (When did it happen?)
* Where? (Where did it happen?)
* Why? (Why did it happen?)
* How? (How did it happen?)
* Who? (Who was involved?)
* Which? (Which one did what?)

Precise Questioning
* Ask specific questions that require an exact answer
* Ask questions in a manner that moves from general to specific
o Example: What were you doing yesterday? What were you doing at 3:00pm?

Extended Answer Questioning
* Ask questions that get an interviewee telling a story, and sharing more information
* Avoid asking Yes or No questions, unless it is used in confirming your understanding of what they have already stated, as it limits the amount of information you are able to obtain and is more likely to lead the interviewee

Reaching Backwards
* After responses, help the interviewee move backward in time, by having them share details about how they got to that point, what/who was involved in that moment
* The process of building on answers from a reverse timeline approach may help the interviewee with recollection
* Most people have difficulty lying when having to tell a story in reverse, so this process may also improve the truthfulness of answers

Questions to Avoid
* Leading questions
o May result in responses that encourage people to not share the truth
o Examples: Did you see a ____? Wasn’t there a ____?
* Double or Triple negative questions
o They can be confusing, and may be suggestive and lead people to respond in a manner opposite to the correct answer
* Complex questions
o Long complex questions may be hard to follow and understand, as they may cover a number of topics, and may require long complex answers that can be hard to follow or result in confusion

The NC Agribusiness Council (NCAg) has a strategic collaboration with AgSafe to provide NCAg members with practitioner-based solutions and resources to advance our industries' commitment to a safe and compliant workforce as well as a healthy and safe food supply. As a member of NCAg, your organization is a member of AgSafe. To learn more about AgSafe, visit www.AgSafe.org or if you have a question or need assistance on topics such as worker safety, human resources, pesticide compliance, labor relations and food safety issues, call the NCAg/AgSafe help line at 800.434.6011. This helpline is an exclusive benefit of NCAg Membership.