Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to conduct interrogation while serving in an operational environment.

Application of the Unit 

This unit of competency will only be used by a specialist interrogator. The duties of an interrogator will be conducted during military operations working to the direction of an interrogation commander.

Interrogation is the systematic extraction of information from a detainee which differs from tactical questioning as it involves a range of information gathering methods and techniques over time.

The person who is interrogated will be detained; the process of handling detainees is not covered by this unit.

Pre-requisite Unit/s 

DEFIN004A Conduct tactical questioning on operations

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for interrogation 

1.1 Instructions to conduct an interrogation are received and details are confirmed with supervisor

1.2 Detainee  history and background is researched to develop lines of questioning in accordance with standard procedures 

1.3 Detainee is assessed  to determine interrogation method

1.4 Interrogation plan  is developed in accordance with organisational requirements 

1.5 Interrogation plan is approved by supervisor

1.6 Support staff  are briefed on their role during the interrogation

1.7 Interrogation area is prepared according to organisational requirements

2. Conduct interrogation 

2.1 Detainee is searched in accordance with interrogation plan and organisational requirements

2.2 Appropriate atmosphere  is created and maintained in accordance with interrogation plan

2.3 Questions are asked of the detainee in accordance with interrogation plan

2.4 Line of questioning is developed according to verbal and non-verbal responses

2.5 Assessment of detainee's demeanour  is continually monitored and appropriate action is taken

2.6 Situations requiring assistance are identified and support is promptly requested

2.7 Legal requirements  are identified and applied during activity

2.8 Occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements and safety precautions are applied throughout activity

3. Finalise interrogation 

3.1 Interrogation support staff are consulted to determine detainee's personality type

3.2 Interrogation documentation  is completed in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3 Supervisor is briefed on interrogation activity in accordance with organisational procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

• conduct briefings and debriefings
• interview detainees
• listen effectively
• take notes
• operate monitoring and recording equipment
• plan effectively
• undertake written and oral questioning
• write reports

Required Knowledge

• behavioural skills
• categories of detainees
• character and/or personality types
• cultural understanding within area of operations
• cultural differences and awareness
• detainee handling
• human behavioural patterns
• interrogation methods and techniques
• legal aspects of interrogation
• levels of cooperation of detainees
• principles of searching
• prisoner of war handling
• roles of interpreters
• searching techniques and procedures
• sequence of orders
• shock of capture
• types and purpose of orders

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to correctly compile an interrogation plan that will be used during the interrogation process, and to compile an interrogation report to brief support staff on the outcomes of the activity.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time and should be observed in a range of simulated work contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed during an activity or over time within a range of contexts involving simulated and scenario based type assessment activities.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• detainees
• interpreter
• interrogation centre with support staff
• supervisors.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment will be based on observations, questioning and/or evidence sourced from an exercise or workplace.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Detainee may include 

Criminal suspect

Displaced person

Prisoner of war

Security suspect

Standard procedures may include 

• Australian Quality Training Framework
• Australian Standards
• Defence instructions
• Doctrine pamphlets
• Industry practices
• Job guides and other publications
• Maintenance schedules
• Manufacturers' specifications, procedures and technical instructions
• Occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements and regulations
• Organisational instructions and journals
• Organisational policies and procedures
• Quality control
• Regulatory requirements
• Relevant local government by-laws
• Routine orders
• Security instructions and procedures
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Standing orders
• Workplace agreements
• Written and verbal orders

Assessing the detainee may include 

• General appearance
• History
• Identity
• Medical condition
• Resistance to interrogation

Interrogation plan may include 

• Detainee's condition
• Duration
• Guard duties
• Identity of detainee
• Lines of questioning
• Methods and techniques
• Rehearsals
• Session objectives
• Session location
• Support staff requirements
• Timelines

Organisational requirements may include 

• Communications requirements
• Detainee handling
• Interrogation process
• Layout and construction of an interrogation cell
• Security requirements
• Tactical questioning

Support staff may include 

• Guard commander
• Guards
• Interpreters
• Police
• Questioner
• Shift commander
• Supervisors

Appropriate atmosphere may include 

• Isolation
• Security
• Segregation
• Shock of capture
• Silence
• Strictness

Detainee's demeanour may include 

• Behaviour patterns
• Body language
• Escape mechanisms
• Personality indicators
• Physical factors
• Psychological conditions
• Psychological defence mechanisms
• Psychological escape mechanisms
• Psychological pressure
• Physiological conditions

Legal requirements may include 

Geneva conventions and protocols

International laws

Laws of Armed Conflict

National laws

Rules of Engagement

• State/territory laws

Interrogation documentation may include 

• Brief to guards
• Detainee file
• Detainee's mental condition
• Detainee's physical condition
• Guard log
• Interrogation plan
• Interrogation report
• Session data

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil