The first side-event, titled "Cooperation towards Enhanced Justice: Advancing Investigative Interviewing Practices", focused on sharing methodologies, challenges, and lessons learned in the application of investigative interviewing. Experts from Thailand, Ghana, and Brazil explored the diverse landscapes of investigative interviewing practices, fostering international cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
Mr. Jumpon Phansumrit, Deputy Attorney General of Thailand, opened the event, stressing how “The interviewing techniques we have used for hundreds of years cannot compete with the changing world”. He emphasized the Office of the Attorney General’s commitment to investigative interviewing.
Organized and hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand, the Nitivajra Institute, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Thailand, the event provided a platform for fruitful discussions and cross-country collaborations to advance criminal justice procedures globally. The event was supported by the Permanent Missions of Norway and Germany, as well as the Thailand Institute of Justice, and NCHR
Investigative Interviewing: Adapting to a Changing World
Susanne Flølo, Senior Adviser on Rule of Law, NCHR, introduced the event by emphasizing the importance of ethical and human rights-compliant approaches to interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects of crimes. Substantive presentations from a practitioner perspective were delivered by Santanee Ditsayabut, Director of the Secretariat Office of Nitivajra Institute, Fanny Aboagye, Assistant Commissioner of Police from Ghana Police Service (online), Fernando Henrique Guzzi, Police Commissioner of the Civil Police of Santa Catarina, Brazil, with contributions from Dr. William Cecconello from the floor, and Anna Giudice, Team leader at the UNODC Justice Section.
The event was recorded and available to view on YouTube.
The second side-event, titled "Effective Interviewing and Investigation: Tools and Resources for Enhanced Criminal Justice," hosted by Norway, was the first time the UN Manual on Investigative Interviewing for Criminal Investigation was launched for a broader audience within a UN setting. The event further emphasized the significance of effective interviewing methods and their impact on criminal justice outcomes.
The two side-events held during the 33rd session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, were the first of several opportunities to highlight the role of practitioners in the implementation of investigative interviewing and officially launch the UN Manual on Investigative Interviewing for Criminal Investigation.
The annual session in Vienna is the UN’s principal policy-making body within the field of crime prevention and criminal justice.