How to Respond When a Suspect Makes False Statements During a Money Laundering Investigation

D

When conducting an investigative interview regarding potential money laundering, it is common to encounter situations where a suspect starts making assertions and statements that the investigator believes are false. In such cases, the investigator should respond in a way that helps them to effectively gather information and evidence while maintaining professional conduct and ethical standards.

Option A, "Inform the suspect that deception is obvious and continue the interview," is not a recommended approach as it could potentially compromise the rapport between the investigator and the suspect. This could cause the suspect to become defensive and uncooperative, making it harder for the investigator to gather further information.

Option B, "Advise the suspect that the interview will be terminated if there is suspicion of deception," is also not a recommended approach. It could potentially alert the suspect that they have been caught in a lie and give them the opportunity to cover up their tracks or destroy evidence.

Option C, "Direct the interview in another direction until there is better rapport before returning back to the troubling questions," could be an effective approach. By shifting the conversation to a more neutral topic, the investigator can work on building rapport with the suspect, which could help them to establish trust and credibility. Once the rapport is established, the investigator can then return to the troubling questions and ask them in a way that does not appear confrontational or accusatory.

Option D, "Ask questions of a material nature about the suspected false statements without revealing the suspected deception," is also a recommended approach. This technique allows the investigator to gather more information without tipping off the suspect that they are being deceptive. By asking open-ended questions about the subject matter of the suspected false statements, the investigator can encourage the suspect to provide additional information that can be used to further the investigation.

In summary, the most appropriate response for the investigator when a suspect makes assertions and statements that are believed to be false is to employ techniques that do not reveal the suspicion of deception, such as directing the interview in another direction or asking questions of a material nature. These approaches can help the investigator to gather more information and evidence while maintaining a professional and ethical demeanor.