Program Overview

This advanced training program equips investigators, auditors, fraud examiners, and compliance professionals with evidence-based rapport-building techniques grounded in social psychology research and neuroscience findings. Moving beyond superficial conversation tactics, this course provides scientifically-validated strategies for establishing genuine interpersonal connections that facilitate honest information sharing and cooperative engagement during investigative interviews.

Scientific Foundation of Rapport

Recent research in social psychology demonstrates that effective rapport creates measurable physiological changes in both interviewer and subject, reducing stress levels and enhancing trust. Our training incorporates findings showing how synchronized behavior and empathetic responses improve communication quality and information sharing.

The program emphasizes evidence-based principles including:

  • Cognitive Empathy Development: Research-backed techniques for understanding subjects’ perspectives without compromising investigative objectivity
  • Behavioral Synchronization: How mirroring behaviors and speech patterns create subconscious connection based on psychological studies
  • Trust Calibration: Scientific methods for building appropriate levels of trust while maintaining professional boundaries

Advanced Interpersonal Dynamics

Participants learn to navigate complex communication scenarios using scientifically-supported strategies that go far beyond basic conversation skills. The curriculum integrates research from behavioral economics, showing how rapport influences decision-making processes and information disclosure patterns.

Key Learning Components:

Strategic Rapport Establishment

  • Apply social psychology principles to create immediate interpersonal connection
  • Utilize research-validated verbal and nonverbal techniques for trust building
  • Implement culturally-sensitive approaches based on cross-cultural communication studies
  • Recognize and adapt to different personality types using validated assessment frameworks

Communication Enhancement Through Psychology

  • Apply behavioral synchronization techniques to create natural interpersonal connection
  • Use evidence-based questioning strategies that reduce defensive responses
  • Implement cognitive load management to maintain subject comfort during challenging topics

Information Exchange Optimization

  • Deploy scientifically-supported methods for encouraging voluntary disclosure
  • Recognize psychological barriers to information sharing and evidence-based solutions
  • Maintain rapport while transitioning between supportive and confrontational questioning
  • Balance empathy with investigative necessity using research-guided protocols

Practical Application and Skill Development

Through realistic scenarios and evidence-based exercises, participants practice applying these scientific principles across diverse investigative contexts. Training includes analysis of successful rapport-building examples from actual cases, demonstrating how proper technique implementation leads to enhanced cooperation and more complete information gathering.

The program addresses specific challenges including:

  • Building rapport with reluctant or hostile subjects
  • Maintaining professional boundaries while establishing personal connection
  • Adapting communication style to different cultural backgrounds and personality types
  • Recognizing when rapport attempts are ineffective and implementing alternative strategies

Research-Backed Methodology

This training reflects cutting-edge research from leading universities and institutes specializing in investigative psychology and interpersonal communication. Our curriculum incorporates peer-reviewed studies on persuasion, influence, and cooperative behavior, ensuring that every technique taught has demonstrable scientific support rather than relying on intuition or outdated practices.

Participants gain access to evidence-based tools and assessment methods that allow them to measure rapport effectiveness and continuously improve their interpersonal skills through objective feedback rather than subjective impressions.

Measurable Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will demonstrate enhanced ability to:

  • Establish measurable rapport indicators using validated assessment criteria
  • Increase voluntary information disclosure rates through scientific communication techniques
  • Reduce interview time while improving information quality and completeness
  • Maintain ethical standards while maximizing investigative effectiveness through strategic relationship building

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

ask us anything

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.