Investigating Interview PEACE - Interview with Professor Raymond Bull

Investigative Interviewing with Professor Raymond Bull

Episode Summary

Interview with the world-renowned pioneer of forensic psychology, Professor Raymond Bull, Professor of Criminal Investigation at the University of Derby. How do the world’s top investigators pull the truth out of suspects without using force, coercion, or mind games? For decades, the criminal justice system relied on high-pressure, "common-sense" interrogations that frequently backfired or resulted in false confessions. Professor Bull has spent his career dismantling those flawed practices. He walks us through the evolutionary shift from coercive interrogation to rapport-based investigative interviewing. Learn how psychological principles are used today to interview suspects, victims, and witnesses to uncover the ground truth.

Whether you are a professional investigator, a business owner safeguarding assets, or a true-crime enthusiast fascinated by the human psyche, this masterclass in ethical truth-seeking is an essential listen

Key Takeaways From This Episode

• The Death of Coercion: Why high-pressure interrogation tactics fail and how ethical, science-backed communication leads to more reliable intelligence.
• The PEACE Method: An inside look at the revolutionary five-step interviewing framework (Preparation, Engage, Account, Closure, Evaluate) that Professor Bull helped pioneer.
• The Art of Information Disclosure: How strategic, gradual revelation of evidence places tactical cognitive load on deceptive suspects, allowing investigators to accurately determine truths from lies.
• Protecting the Vulnerable: The development of global standards and the "Achieving Best Evidence" guidance to safely interview children and vulnerable witnesses.
• Real-World Impact: Professor Bull reflects on his work as an expert witness in over 150 major cases, including high-profile international inquiries.

• About the Guest
• Professor Raymond Bull DSc is a part-time Professor of Criminal Investigation at the University of Derby and Emeritus Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Leicester. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award from the American Psychology-Law Society and an Honorary Fellow of the British Psychological Society. His landmark textbook, Investigative Interviewing: Psychology and Practice, remains the industry gold-standard text for law enforcement globally.
•  
• Episode Hashtags
• #DetectiveDiaries #ForensicPsychology #InvestigativeInterviewing #ProfessorRayBull #PEACEMethod #CriminalInvestigation #TrueCrimePodcast #Criminology #DeceptionDetection #PoliceScience #LegalPsychology #CriminalJustice #ExpertWitness

Support the Show

If you love pulling back the curtain on the gritty, complex world of real investigation, help our independent podcast grow!

• Subscribe: Hit the follow button on Detective Diaries on Spotify or find us on the Podbean App so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a Review: Ratings and written reviews help other true crime and forensic investigation enthusiasts find our diaries.

Connect with Us

• Website: Answers Investigation
• Fingerprinting Services: UK Fingerprint
• Contact: Email the Podcast Team podcast@private-detectives.uk

 Credits:

Interviewer: Harry Watts

Interview with: Professor Raymond Bull

Readers: Etienne Middleton, Freya Holmberg