

Video Interview Tips for Forensic Audit
A quick look at the pros and cons of doing Virtual Forensic Interviews instead of Face-to-Face conversations –
Pros
1. Often easier and quicker to schedule an interview(for time-sensitive investigation).
2. Reduce time and expense for travel.
3. Some interviewees may be more comfortable speaking from the comfort of their homes.
4. Technological advancements now allow an interviewer to share documents remotely as well as to highlight and mark up the documents.
5. A remote interview without a mask might reveal important nonverbal cues otherwise hidden behind a mask for an in-person interview.
Cons
1. Difficult to access hard copies of documents and conduct searches of physical evidence.
2. Possibly more difficult to build rapport with interviewees in a remote setting.
3. In a remote setting, the interviewee may try to multitask, lose focus on the questions, or end the interview prematurely.
4. Due to visual limitations, some nonverbal cues may go undetected because they are outside of the camera’s view.
5. Possibility for unintended parties to be present or the interview to be recorded without all parties being aware.
Preparing for a virtual interview
1. Setup call with the interviewee, ensuring that wireless connections, sound, and visuals work properly
2. Be in a quiet, private space during the interview to eliminate noise and distractions.
3. Practice beforehand with demonstratives or other visuals
4. Know in advance how to share your screen
5. Have alternative devices available in case the original setup malfunctions.
6. Keep additional time on any last-minute technical issues.
7. Both interviewer’s and interviewee’s video should be turned on.