An Analysis of the Interview Structure

Abstract

This chapter presents the initial phase of the analysis, which aims to provide a descriptive framework of the police interview structure. Using an analysis of participation frameworks and participant roles (Goffman 1974), it will be shown that there are three parts of the interview (Opening, Information Gathering, and Closing) and that each part can be meaningfully described and distinguished from the other parts by examining the language used by the participants. The analysis will demonstrate that the changing use of language in the different interview parts mirrors the changing goals of the police participants.