Master 40 Investigator interview questions covering case analysis, evidence handling, and investigative methodology.
Question 23 of 40
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
Entry Level
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
Community Answers

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
As a criminal investigator, it is essential that you can read others, either while questioning and interrogating or even in a simple everyday interaction. If you are interviewing the suspect of a crime, you should be able to identify specific behavioral markers associated with lying. The interviewer wants to hear what particular methods you use to help determine if you will be a good fit for the team.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"As a seasoned investigator, I understand the importance of behavioral anomalies and what they mean. I look for a series of both verbal and nonverbal signs to determine if they align well with what the person is saying. In an investigation, I will look for exaggerated facial movements, wringing of the hands, lack of eye contact, and accuracy of facts, for starters. If I sense an irregularity in facts, I will dig deeper into that topic to see if the person starts to give contradicting information."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I learned a lot about indicators during my criminal psychology coursework and a bit about nonverbal behaviors. Many emotions are communicated through facial expressions and the tone of voice, as well as gestures. Often, people under stress attempt to hide their feelings, and then they begin to express themselves differently with nonverbal behaviors. I plan to look carefully for signals such as over-blinking, speech rates, and active attempts to regulate emotions unnaturally."

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
If you have a law, criminology, or psychology background, you will likely have formal training to read people and behavioral indicators correctly. Talk to the interviewer about what you look for in these instances, focusing on the methods you have been trained to use.

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
You want to avoid saying that you do not have methods you consistently use. As a criminal investigator, you should have a style developed when interviewing and interrogating individuals.

Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Prepare for behavioral scenarios and technical questions that test investigative judgment.
Get StartedJump to Question

Written by Krista Wenz
40 Questions & Answers • Investigator

By Krista

By Krista