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# How The Reid Technique Works
- URL: https://www.investigatemidwest.org/how-the-reid-technique-works/
- Published: 2017-07-11T18:11:14.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-11T02:39:39.000Z
- Description: The Reid Technique is used by police and government investigators, security and loss prevention experts. Before the interrogation, investigators conduct a behavioral analysis interview to identify signs of deception.
- Author: Compiled by Krista Johnson/IowaWatch
- Tags: Criminal Justice, iowawatch, crime, criminal confessions, criminal justice, Criminal Justice Reform, detectives, innocence, police, Reid technique, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-06-18 04:56

###### LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:

The Reid Technique is used by police and government investigators, security and loss prevention experts. Before the interrogation, investigators conduct a behavioral analysis interview to identify signs of deception. The interrogation steps are**:**

1. **Direct positive accusation:**  
  - Confidently tell the subject the investigation indicates he/she is guilty;
  - Assess subject’s verbal and nonverbal reaction to the accusation.
2. **Theme development:**  
  - Offer justifications for subjects’ complicity but don’t offer legal ones;
  - Contrast inexcusable motives with more understandable reasons;
  - Support themes with stories of suspects who made similar mistakes;
  - Emphasize the need for cooperation with role reversals.
3. **Handling denials:**  
  - Talk over subjects and use gestures to cut off their interruptions;
  - Consider that the subject may be innocent if the denials continue to be strong, sincere and voiced using realistic words.
4. **Overcoming objections:**  
  - Express agreement or understanding when subjects offer an objection or excuse as they couldn’t be involved;
  - Explain positive implications if it is true;
  - Explain negative implications if it is not true.
5. **Attaining the subject’s attention:**  
  - Subject is on the defensive and could become withdrawn;
  - Move close to gain subjects’ attention and focus on your themes.
6. **Handling subject’s passive mood:**  
  - Subject begins to show signs of defeat or remorse;
  - Shorten the themes and lead toward the alternative question.
7. **Presenting the alternative question:**  
  - Present two choices for subject’s involvement and contrast an acceptable sounding choice with an unacceptable one;
  - Urge subjects to accept choice and stress the generally acceptable one.
8. **Obtaining the verbal confession:**  
  - Express understanding if subject chooses one of the alternatives;
  - Encourage subject to talk about aspects of the crime;
  - Avoid leading questions and get details from interviewee that only the guilty would know;
  - Have a witness to the verbal admission.
9. **Elements of the written confession:** Convert verbal confession to a written or typed form and establish subject volunteered it.

**Source:** [John E. Reid & Associates](https://www.reid.com/educational%5Finfo/critictechnique.html?ref=investigatemidwest.org)

###### [BACK TO MAIN STORY](https://investigatemidwest.org/controversial-criminal-interrogation-technique-suspected-of-producing-false-confessions-under-fire/?ref=investigatemidwest.org)

###### [WHY WOULD A PERSON FALSELY CONFESS TO A CRIME?](https://investigatemidwest.org/why-would-a-person-falsely-confess-to-a-crime/?ref=investigatemidwest.org)

###### [STEPS TO ‘PEACE’ INTERVIEWING](https://investigatemidwest.org/steps-to-peace-interviewing/?ref=investigatemidwest.org)