How should an interviewer handle a suspect's feelings during an interrogation?

Allowing the suspect to express their feelings is crucial in effective interviewing and interrogation. This approach serves multiple purposes:

1. Building Rapport: When an interviewer acknowledges a suspect's emotions, it can help establish trust and rapport, making the suspect more comfortable and open in sharing information. Many individuals are more likely to cooperate when they feel heard and understood.

2. Observing Behavior: By permitting the suspect to articulate their emotions, the interviewer can gain valuable insight into their state of mind. This information can be pivotal in understanding the suspect's motivations or mental state, which may aid in the investigation.

3. Facilitating Communication: Emotional expression can lead to more open dialogue. When suspects feel free to express themselves, it can lead to a more productive interrogation, where pertinent details or confessions may naturally arise.

Encouraging suspects to talk about their feelings allows the interviewer to manage the interrogation more effectively and steer the conversation in a way that gives insight into the suspect's thought processes, motivations, and potential admissions.