Submission and Testing for Submission

The interviews did not regularly achieve traditional submission from the subject. The subjects trended toward a rational decision to confess based on the investigative technique phase of the interview and the Motivation rationalization. This resulted in the signs of submission being relaxed and expressed slightly. To the contrast, a lower percentage of subjects who related to one of the rationalizations surrounding their Decision to Continue made an emotional decision to confess and displayed traditional and pronounced submission. It was also important to note that a small number of subjects were in immediate submission due to the apprehension.

Using the Apprehension as a Wedge, and Role Reversal as Tools, to Test for Submission. When the interviewer tested for submission, a tool was used that was not available in a majority of internal theft cases. The apprehension itself or a Role Reversal was used as a wedge in order to elicit a decision to break free from the ring. This tactic is unique to the external thief because unlike the majority of internal cases, the external thief is caught in the act. The ORC interview is occurring because the subject has been apprehended for theft. They know this interview concerns their activity. As a result, the traditional insertion of “you” to test for submission would not result in the acceptance behavior we normally seek in internal subjects.

• Just as the interviewer used the investigation as a wedge to gain admissions in traditional interviews, the apprehension itself was now used as a wedge. “What’s important now is that this has come to an end, and you have an opportunity to assist this investigation and influence what happens to you.”
• Role Reversal was also used after the wedge. “If you were in our position and you apprehended two people involved in organized acts against you, and one person said nothing and didn’t want to assist and do the right thing, but the other person decided to help themselves and provide information to right the wrongs and assist us recovering what we’ve lost, who would you feel better about?”