Program Overview

This advanced training program equips law enforcement professionals, corporate investigators, compliance officers, and human resources personnel with scientifically-validated questioning methodologies that maximize information gathering effectiveness while maintaining ethical investigative standards. Moving beyond intuition-based approaches, this course emphasizes evidence-based techniques grounded in field research and cognitive psychology principles.

Scientific Foundation

Built upon compelling field research demonstrating that open-ended questions generate responses six times longer than probing questions and nine times longer than closed yes/no questions, this program addresses a critical practice gap: despite their proven effectiveness, open-ended questions comprise less than 1% of questions in real-world investigative interviews. The curriculum directly confronts the “seven-second interruption problem” identified by RAND Corporation research, where investigators interrupt subjects approximately every seven seconds—barely enough time for meaningful thought formation or detailed responses.

Learning Objectives

Through comprehensive analysis of questioning methodologies, active listening protocols, and cognitive interviewing frameworks, participants will develop the ability to:

  • Master Open-Ended Question Construction: Learn to craft questions that encourage detailed narratives, reveal unexpected information, and access the “unknown unknowns” that exist outside investigative preconceptions
  • Implement Strategic Question Sequencing: Apply the funnel approach methodology, beginning with broad open-ended questions and systematically narrowing focus while maintaining information flow and avoiding premature closure
  • Execute Advanced Active Listening Techniques: Utilize eleven evidence-based listening skills including effective pausing, paraphrasing, emotional labeling, and reflection to combat interruption patterns and maximize information yield
  • Apply Cognitive Interview Principles: Implement context reinstatement, multiple perspective recall, and reverse order techniques that enhance memory access and improve statement quality through scientifically-supported methods
  • Integrate Red Teaming Methodologies: Systematically challenge assumptions, identify confirmation bias, and maintain investigative objectivity through structured self-assessment and assumption-testing protocols
  • Balance Discovery with Corroboration: Understand the critical distinction between information gathering through interviews and truth establishment through independent verification, ensuring ethical investigative practices

Practical Application

Participants will engage with real-world scenarios spanning criminal investigations, corporate misconduct cases, human resources interviews, compliance assessments, and risk management evaluations. The program emphasizes cross-sector applicability while maintaining sector-specific considerations for victim interviews, witness statements, and suspect interrogations.

Evidence-Based Approach

This training reflects current research in investigative psychology, cognitive science, and information processing theory. Our curriculum emphasizes the discovery versus confirmation paradigm, teaching participants to step beyond predetermined narratives and embrace investigative curiosity. The program maintains strict adherence to empirically-validated methodologies while addressing common pitfalls including leading questions, multiple question construction, confirmation bias, and premature information closure that compromise investigative integrity.

Testimonials

Mark’s training classes are a refreshing and engaging approach to gathering pertinent evidence during the interviewing process. Mark is extremely engaging and knowledgeable and presents the material in a way that draws the audience in.
Elizabeth L. Sherrod, CFE, LPI
Elizabeth L. Sherrod, CFE, LPICEO Sherrod Investigative Group, LLC Seminar Coordinator and Past President of the Knoxville ACFE
Mark’s training is engaging, approachable, and genuinely enjoyable, yet firmly grounded in the latest science.
Anthony Palmieri
Anthony PalmieriDeputy Inspector General | President, Palm Beach Economic Crimes Unit | Former President, National Guardianship Association
Mark has a myriad of law enforcement and public corruption investigation experience accumulated over many years that make him one of the highest rated instructors at the AIG Institutes. It is instructors of this caliber that help make the CIGI certification so valuable.
Stephen Street
Stephen StreetLouisiana State Inspector General
Mark Anderson is a vibrant, entertaining, engaging and knowledgeable speaker. The Jacksonville ACFE has had Mark speak at many of our engagements over the past few years. His style which includes stories, videos and audio clips to demonstrate points keeps the audience involved and leaves them wanting more no matter the length of the event.
Andrea ValentinVP Prepaid FIU at FSV Payment Systems (US Bank)
Mr. Anderson is uniquely qualified to develop and deliver interviewing and interrogation training to new and experienced criminal investigators, administrative investigators, auditors, inspectors, evaluators and other professionals charged with oversight, investigative, and law enforcement duties.
Robert RayDirector, Inspector General Criminal Investigator Academy
During Mark's tenure at the IG Academy, he managed or contributed significantly to the delivery of a majority of our training programs. Mark's expertise in investigative interviewing sets him apart. Mark is an outstanding and enthusiastic instructor who often received very favorable comments on his instruction and classroom management from both students and colleagues.
Angela HrdlickaIndependent Management, Security and Law Enforcement Consultant; Evernote Certified Consultant
I attended a training conducted by Mark regarding Ethics and Advanced Interviewing. By far, one of the best trainings I have received. Mark was engaging and knowledgeable on these issues. If you require investigations, interrogations, or interviewing training (to name a few) for your organization, I would highly recommend you contact Mark - immediately.
Julie HolladayInvestigator at TriCenturion
Our instructors are evaluated by the students who attend the Institute on a scale of 1 to 5. Mark has consistently received evaluations with an average score exceeding 4.5. He has been universally well received. He is an expert in his field and he delivers his lectures in an highly engaging, energetic and interactive way. He is certainly one of the highlights for our investigators during the week of training.
Philip ZismanJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice, Department of Public Management
Mark is without question one of the most technically qualified, knowledgeable, and dynamic trainers in the field of interviewing I have ever witnessed. As a certified trainer with nearly three decades of experience as an investigator, he possesses the hands on skill-set to present interviewing techniques in the most proficient and educational way thereby allowing the students to gain invaluable knowledge.
Tom CaulfieldCOO, Procurement Integrity Consulting Services
"Without a doubt, some of the best interviewing training I've ever seen and sent my detectives to. Mark has the innate gift of interviewing, but what makes him especially good his how his practices, styles, and trainings evolve as he learns more from science-based information then applies it to the field."
Brian PeeteDirector, Riley County Police Department
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FAQ

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Anderson Investigative Associates (AIA) is a professional training organization specializing in customized, science-based interview and investigative training for organizations across law enforcement, corporate, audit, human resources, and inspection sectors.

AIA offers training in human resources interviewing, investigative interviewing, audit/inspection/evaluation, leadership and communication, trauma-informed interviewing, cognitive interviewing, evidence collection techniques, and more — all customized to client needs.

Science-based interviewing refers to methodologies rooted in cognitive psychology and behavioral science research that improve information accuracy, reduce investigative bias, and enhance the quality of interviews and investigations.

AIA’s training is designed for professionals in law enforcement, auditing, internal investigations, human resources, corporate security, inspection, evaluation, and other roles where effective information gathering and interviewing are critical.

Yes. AIA specializes in fully customized training solutions tailored to an organization’s specific operational requirements, training gaps, culture, and investigative challenges.

Training can be structured in various formats — from one-day workshops to multi-day immersive courses — and includes interactive exercises, realistic scenarios, and hands-on practice.

Some courses include Cognitive Interviewing, Counter-Interrogation Strategies, Science-Based Rapport Building, Strategic Interview Planning, Evidence Disclosure and Strategic Empathy, and Advanced Trauma-Informed Interviewing.

Science-based approaches improve investigative outcomes by maximizing the reliability and accuracy of information obtained, minimizing bias, and creating defensible methods suitable for legal and professional scrutiny.

Yes. AIA provides training tailored to human resources professionals for employee interviews, misconduct investigations, conflict resolution, and documentation practices that align with legal and organizational standards.

You can contact AIA through their website’s Contact page or by calling their office number provided on the site.