Course Overview
The success of any investigation at any level is dependent on the investigator obtaining evidence and presenting it in a manner that is acceptable to the courts. Often this evidence is information supplied by people involved in incidents. The amount and veracity of this information is of utmost importance. In this course, candidates learn and practice very practical and straight forward techniques available for interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects to obtain the maximum amount of court admissible information. This course will focus on a non-accusatorial, evidence-based philosophy to interviewing which responds to Charter challenges and case law related to voluntariness of statements.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Domestic fees
$859.09
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, each student will be able to:
- Describe past interviewing models and contrast and compare them with current model.
- Identify and describe the five universal parts of every interview: Preparation, Legal Obligations, Obtain a Version, Persuasion (suspects only) and Conclude and Evaluate.
- Demonstrate the ability to create a non-accusatorial, non-oppressive environment for suspect interviews.
- Demonstrate the ability to provide clear Cognitive Interview instructions for witness and victim interviews.
- Commit to systematically completing interview preparation activities using all information resources available.
- Design and draft an interview plan that incorporates the five universal parts of an interview.
- Identify common errors in interviewing and avoid such errors.
- Evaluate verbal and non-verbal responses in a practical application.
- Organize an investigative interview following the five universal parts and guided by a written interview plan.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2024
Related Programs
Forensic Interviewing for Investigators (FSCT 7231) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Computing and Academic Studies
- Forensic Investigation (Forensic Science Option)
Bachelor of Technology Part-time
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below is one offering of FSCT 7231 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 70448
Dates
Apr 13 - Jul 13 Loading
- CRN 70448
- $859.09 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
13 weeks
Instructor
Glen Burchart
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is a hybrid course: eleven (11) face to face (F2F) sessions scheduled at the Burnaby campus on Mondays between Apr 13th to July 13th 6:00pm - 9:20pm (1800-2120) - Apr. 13, 20, 27, May 11, 25, June 1, 8, 22, 29, July 6, and 13 - and online asynchronous content on Mon May 4th & June 15th. (No class on May 18th for Victoria Day). Students who have been accepted into a Forensics program where this course is a part of the matrix may register without any further approvals. Students who are not currently accepted in a Forensics program or, if this course is NOT part of your program matrix, please contact the Program Assistants for departmental approval at BCIT_Forensics@bcit.ca.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.