Investigative Decision-Making Masterclass
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Investigative Interviewing – PEACE model course
Master professional investigative interviewing techniques used by law enforcement and regulatory investigators worldwide. Evidence-based interviewing training improves core interviewing skills and information gathering quality. Research reviews have found measurable benefits from structured investigative interviewing training. Our training includes professional actor role-play.
850
In Person, Dublin 7
2 days
About this course
Effective investigations depend on the quality of the information gathered. Whether you are investigating workplace misconduct, fraud, protected disclosures, regulatory breaches, safeguarding concerns, or compliance issues, your ability to conduct structured, fair and legally defensible interviews is critical.
This practical two-day Investigative Interviewing Training course provides participants with the skills, techniques and confidence to conduct professional investigative interviews using the internationally recognised PEACE Model.
Through expert instruction, practical exercises, realistic scenarios and actors role-play, you will learn how to plan, conduct and evaluate investigative interviews that produce reliable evidence while maintaining fairness, objectivity and procedural integrity.
Why choose this course
A structured investigative interviewing approach helps investigators gather better information, assess credibility more effectively and ensure investigations are conducted professionally and fairly.
The PEACE Model provides a proven framework for information-gathering interviews and is widely used in law enforcement, regulatory and workplace investigation settings internationally.
Poor interviewing techniques can result in:
Incomplete or inaccurate evidence.
Challenges to investigation findings.
Procedural fairness concerns.
Reputational damage.
Regulatory scrutiny.
Increased legal risk.
Course syllabus
Professional Investigative Interviewing: PEACE Model Training for Fraud & Compliance Investigators in Ireland
What is the PEACE Model?
The PEACE Model is a structured investigative interviewing framework designed to obtain accurate and reliable information through ethical and effective interviewing techniques.
PEACE stands for:
- Planning and Preparation: Identifying interview objectives, reviewing available evidence and preparing an interview strategy.
- Engage and Explain: Building rapport, explaining the interview process and establishing expectations.
- Account: Using effective questioning techniques to obtain a detailed account from the interviewee.
- Closure: Concluding the interview professionally and ensuring all relevant information has been explored.
- Evaluation: Reviewing interview effectiveness and identifying learning points for future investigations.
Participants learn how to apply each stage effectively within workplace, compliance, regulatory and investigative environments.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the principles of professional investigative interviewing.
- Apply the PEACE Model framework confidently.
- Plan and prepare structured investigative interviews.
- Build rapport while maintaining professional control.
- Use questioning techniques that encourage accurate and detailed accounts.
- Recognise common interviewing errors and biases.
- Manage challenging, reluctant or evasive interviewees.
- Conduct witness, complainant and subject interviews effectively.
- Evaluate interview performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Gather evidence in a manner that supports fair and defensible investigations.
Who should attend?
This course is designed for professionals responsible for conducting or supporting investigations, including:
- HR Managers and HR Business Partners.
- Workplace Investigators.
- Employee Relations Specialists.
- Compliance Officers.
- Risk and Governance Professionals.
- Internal Auditors.
- Fraud Investigators.
- Regulatory Investigators.
- Professional Regulators.
- Public Sector Investigators.
- Corporate Security Professionals.
- Legal Professionals involved in investigations.
- Protected Disclosure Investigation Teams.
- Safeguarding and Professional Conduct Investigators.
No previous investigative interviewing experience is required.
Course Programme
Module 1: Foundations of Investigative Interviewing
- Principles of investigative interviewing.
- Information gathering versus interrogation.
- Professional standards and ethical considerations.
- Common interviewer mistakes.
- Cognitive biases and their impact on investigations.
Module 2: Understanding the PEACE Model
- Overview of the PEACE framework.
- Benefits of structured interviewing.
- Applying the model in workplace and regulatory investigations.
- Planning effective interviews.
Module 3: Questioning Techniques
- Open, probing and clarifying questions.
- Active listening techniques.
- Encouraging detailed accounts.
- Managing inconsistencies.
- Avoiding leading questions.
Module 4: Witness and Complainant Interviews
- Establishing rapport.
- Gathering accurate information.
- Handling sensitive issues.
- Managing emotional responses.
Module 5: Subject Interviews
- Preparing for challenging interviews.
- Managing resistance and defensiveness.
- Maintaining neutrality and professionalism.
- Testing accounts appropriately.
Module 6: Practical Interview Simulations
- Realistic interview exercises.
- Structured role-play scenarios.
- Individual feedback and coaching.
- Performance evaluation.
Practical, Interactive Learning
This course is highly interactive and focuses on practical skill development.
Participants will engage in:
- Facilitated group discussions.
- Scenario-based exercises.
- Interview planning workshops.
- Practical role-play activities.
- Feedback and coaching sessions.
The emphasis is on applying learning in realistic investigative situations rather than simply understanding theory.
Benefits for Organisations
Organisations that invest in investigative interviewing capability can:
- Improve the quality of investigation outcomes.
- Enhance procedural fairness.
- Strengthen governance and compliance processes.
- Reduce investigation-related risk.
- Increase confidence in evidence gathering.
- Improve consistency across investigations.
- Support defensible decision-making.
Course Trainer
Training is delivered by an experienced investigative interviewing specialist with extensive practical experience in conducting, managing and reviewing investigations across a range of sectors. Mark Heffer is a highly experienced Investigative Interviewing trainer with over 30 years’ experience gained in serious and organised crime investigation and anti-money laundering training (please refer to his full biography below).
Participants benefit from real-world insights, practical examples, professional actor role-play and proven investigative techniques that can be applied immediately in their professional roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this course suitable for HR professionals conducting workplace investigations, or is it just for law enforcement? This course is designed for ALL professional investigators: HR, compliance, internal audit, fraud investigators, and law enforcement. The PEACE Model and techniques are applicable across all investigation types, whether workplace misconduct, fraud, or regulatory breaches.
- I’ve never conducted an investigation before, is this course too advanced? No. The course covers fundamentals through to advanced techniques. Day 1 builds your understanding of structured interviewing, and Day 2’s role-play allows you to practice in a supportive environment with expert feedback.
- Will this course cover Irish law and employee rights? Yes. The course addresses Irish legal frameworks including constitutional rights to natural justice, recent case law (ESB v Sharkey [2024]), GDPR compliance, and Section 19 Criminal Justice Act reporting obligations.
- What’s the PEACE Model? PEACE is an internationally recognised framework for investigative interviewing: Planning and Preparation, Engage and Explain, Account, Closure, Evaluate. It’s the gold standard used by law enforcement and regulatory investigators worldwide.
- How realistic is the role-play exercise? Very. You’ll interview a professional actor (not a colleague), work with documentary exhibits, and face unpredictable responses, creating genuine pressure similar to real investigations. Participants consistently rate this as the most valuable aspect.
- Will I receive CPD accreditation? Yes, this course is accredited by the CPD Group. You’ll receive a certificate suitable for professional development records.
- Can we arrange in-house training for our investigation team? Yes, this programme can be delivered in-house for organisations with multiple investigators. The content can be tailored to your specific investigation types (workplace, fraud, compliance, etc.). Contact us to discuss.
- What’s the difference between interviewing witnesses and suspects? Significant. Witnesses may be cooperative, reluctant, traumatized, or uncooperative. Suspects may be deceptive, hostile, sophisticated, or legally represented. This course teaches techniques for both, including how to adapt your approach.
- Do I need to bring anything to the course? Just yourself, a laptop and the willingness to participate. All materials, case files, and exhibits are provided. You’ll receive take-home materials including planning templates and interview frameworks.
- Is this training updated for recent changes in fraud and investigation? Yes. The course addresses current challenges including fraud surge, protected disclosures, concurrent investigations, employee right to silence, and GDPR compliance in investigations.
For more details on the topic, read our blog post: Why Investigative Interviewing Skills Are Essential for Professionals
This course is accredited by the CPD Group.
Watch the short introduction video
What does the Investigative Interviewing 2-day course offer? Tailored for professional investigators in enforcement, fraud, or disciplinary fields, this intensive training blends practical interview techniques, international best practices, and realistic exercises with actors. Emphasizing interactivity, it employs a mix of practitioner-focused presentations and immersive exercises, deviating from a purely theoretical approach.
Meet the trainer – Mark Heffer
Financial Investigation and Asset Recovery Specialist
Mark Heffer is a highly experienced Investigative Interviewing trainer with over 30 years’ experience gained in Serious and Organised Crime investigation and Anti-Money Laundering training.
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Practical training with small groups to ensure quality.
Our training sessions are not lectures—they're practical, interactive experiences. The small group format allows every attendee to ask questions, take part in discussions involving practical exercises and role-plays.
This method of training allows attendees to put the skills learned into practice immediately. Course participants benefit from the focused attention and guidance of an independent expert.
Register to attend:
In-house training available: would you like to train your entire investigation team? This programme can be delivered in-house at your organisation, tailored to your specific investigation types (workplace, fraud, compliance, regulatory). Contact us for a quote.
# SELECTED
| Course Dates | Location | Price | Spaces Left | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29/09/26 - 30/09/26 i 29/09/2026 09:30 - 16:30 30/09/2026 09:30 - 16:30 | Ormond Meeting Rooms | €850.00 | 4 |
Learn how to conduct professional investigative interviews with confidence
FAQs
This course is designed for professionals involved in workplace investigations, including HR managers, employment law solicitors, public sector managers, compliance officers, and those conducting disciplinary or grievance investigations. It is particularly relevant for individuals responsible for ensuring fair procedures in line with Irish employment law.
Participants will learn how to plan and structure an investigation interview, apply fair procedures, assess credibility, manage challenging interviewees, and document findings appropriately. The course also covers questioning techniques, handling conflicting evidence, and reducing the risk of procedural errors that could lead to legal challenges.
Investigative interviewing training helps employers comply with Irish employment law and the principles of natural justice. Poorly conducted interviews can expose organisations to claims before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) or Labour Court. Structured training reduces legal risk and improves the quality and defensibility of investigation outcomes.
The course examines the principles of fair procedures and constitutional justice in Ireland, including the right to be heard and the right to an impartial decision-maker. It provides practical guidance on conducting interviews that respect these principles while maintaining objectivity and professionalism.
Yes. Effective note-taking and accurate documentation are essential in workplace investigations. The course provides guidance on recording interviews, maintaining clear evidential trails, and preparing investigation reports that can withstand scrutiny in external proceedings.
While no training can eliminate legal risk entirely, structured investigative interviewing training significantly reduces the likelihood of procedural flaws. By following best practice interviewing techniques and fair procedures, organisations are better positioned to defend decisions if challenged.
Yes. The course is highly relevant for public sector bodies, where adherence to constitutional justice and transparency is particularly important. It supports investigators in meeting heightened procedural standards applicable in public administration.
Common mistakes include leading questions, failing to prepare adequately, demonstrating bias, poor record-keeping, and not allowing the interviewee a full opportunity to respond to allegations. The course addresses these risks and provides practical strategies to avoid them.
An investigative interview is a fact-finding exercise designed to gather evidence before any disciplinary decision is made. A disciplinary hearing, by contrast, determines whether misconduct occurred and what sanction, if any, should apply. The course clarifies this distinction and explains why maintaining separation between investigation and decision-making is critical.
