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Investigating a murder with forensic psychology
Investigating a murder with forensic psychology

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4.3 How rapport is applied in criminal investigations

A photograph of DS Sund.

You have learned about the fundamental principles underpinning the interpersonal interactions that we have with one another.

You have probably already reflected on what this model might tell you about some of your own conversations in your own relationships. However, the model becomes much more useful in application to policing (and possibly your own conversations too) when we add in a bit more complexity. Alison et al. (2013) researched the use of the model in policing contexts and (along with other researchers such as Birtchnell, 2014) developed the basic model of the interpersonal circle to take into account the fact that there are both ‘adaptive’ and ‘maladaptive’ versions of behaviour. In 2013 Alison et al. developed their model of rapport based on coding many hours of police suspect interviews. They developed the two ‘adaptive’ and ‘maladaptive’ circles which you will learn about in the next section.