Cadets of the Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs (DSUIA) attended a lecture on police interviewing of individuals who have suffered psychological trauma due to terrorist attacks or military actions.
The event was conducted by Patrick RISAN, a representative of the Norwegian Police University College.
The lecture was delivered in English. In his presentation, the expert addressed issues such as the response to psychological trauma, approaches that can ensure a successful interview with traumatized individuals, and the communication challenges involved in speaking with such individuals. Special emphasis was placed on managing the emotional state of victims during the interview.
Patrick RISAN viewed trauma as a frightening experience that can lead to feelings of helplessness, confusion, or negative emotions, with long-lasting effects. The lecture also discussed trauma responses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, and social isolation.
According to the expert, trauma can make respondents more vulnerable, complicating the process of obtaining truthful and accurate information during an interview. Therefore, investigators must consider the psychological state of the person being interviewed and avoid topics that could intensify their negative emotions.
The lecturer provided the cadets with advice on how to bring a person out of a state of shock into the “here and now” mode, establish contact with a traumatized individual, and build the dialogue in the most appropriate way.
The cadets listened to the lecture with great interest, and at the end of the event, they noted that such valuable advice from an expert with practical experience is crucial for them as future law enforcement officers.
Reference: Patrick Risan is a lecturer at the Norwegian Police University College. He teaches subjects such as “Stress, Stress Management, and Mental Health,” among others. His research areas include conducting investigative interviews with traumatized respondents, interviews with suspects, and studies of personality profiles in the police force. His dissertation focused on the terrorist attacks of July 22, 2011, in Norway.
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