Cognitive Interviewing & Detecting Deception

This 20- hour course equips investigators, patrol officers, supervisors, and internal affairs personnel with the skills to conduct interviews that are accurate, efficient, and reliable in any environment. This advanced program integrates modern cognitive science, statement analysis, and non-verbal assessment to help officers obtain stronger information—while avoiding contamination, accidental leading, or overlooked details. Participants master a proven, legally defensible framework that increases recall, reduces false information, and exposes inconsistencies with clarity and confidence. Through scenario-based practice and real-world case studies, officers learn to identify linguistic cues, behavioral patterns, emotional shifts, and cognitive load indicators linked to stress, omission, and deception. Whether interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects, or employees during internal investigations, this training sharpens decision-making, strengthens documentation, and enhances courtroom testimony.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Conduct structured Cognitive Interviews that maximize memory retrieval
• Identify non-verbal cues and deception indicators grounded in science, not myths
• Apply effective question sequencing and rapport-building strategies to elicit high-quality information
• Prevent contamination, leading questions, and suggestion during interviews
• Strengthen documentation, articulation, and sworn testimony for investigative and courtroom use
• Ensure all techniques are applied ethically, objectively, and in a legally defensible manner

Ideal For

• Detectives & Investigators
• Patrol Officers & First Responders
• School Resource Officers
• Internal Affairs & Professional Standards
• Supervisors, FTOs, & Interview Coordinators
• Anyone responsible for gathering accurate information

Course Format

• 20 hours with 4-hours Detecting Deception on the final day
• Interactive, scenario-based exercises
• Real case examples and practical application

Cancellation Policy

At BSTS LLC, we understand that sometimes plans change. Our course cancellation policy is designed to ensure fairness and maximize training opportunities for all participants. Please take note of the following key points:

1. Notice Period:
   • To cancel your attendance in a course, we require a minimum of 15 days’ notice before the course start date.
   • Notify us via email through our website.
2. Consequences of Late Cancellation:
   • If you cancel with less than 15 days’ notice, a department credit will be issued. This credit can be used toward another future training event within one year from the original course date.
   • No-shows without prior email notification will be charged the full course fee, even if payment hasn’t been made yet.
3. Future Course Credit:
   • For any no-shows who are charged the full course fee, we offer a one-year future course credit.
   • This credit allows you to attend a different training event within the next year.
4. Why We Have This Policy:
   • Our goal is to provide quality training to as many officers as possible.
   • Some students register for courses but don’t attend, which prevents others from taking those slots.
   • We compensate our instructors based on the number of officers scheduled to attend, and our travel costs are tied to registration fees.
5. Your Agreement:
   • By registering for any course, you agree to abide by this cancellation policy.
   • If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us via email or phone.

Remember, this policy serves as a binding contract between BSTS LLC and you (whether you’re an individual student or part of an agency or company). We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain an efficient and effective training environment.