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WZ No Longer Teaches Confrontational MethodsOur focus is on providing investigators with methods that are aimed at identifying the truth and obtaining reliable information through ethical, moral and legally acceptable techniques. This focus has been supported by multiple non-confrontational methods taught to our attendees for the past 35 years. The high risk of false confessions, the potential for incorrect or unreliable information, and ultimately the misapplication of confrontational techniques are all reasons why WZ has chosen to no longer offer the confrontational approach in its course selections.
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Non-Confrontational is Better InterviewingBeginning a conversation with a confrontation almost always results in an emotional denial by the subject. From a guilty subject the denial is a lie, and from an innocent subject the denial stems from fear of being disbelieved. Either way, the conversation has begun with emotional pressure on the subject resulting in an adversarial relationship with the interviewer. A more effective way to identify the truth is through a variety of non-confrontational techniques that allow the conversation to remain cordial without pushing the subject into an emotional or defensive state.
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Dedication to the Truth, Not ConfessionsThe goal of any interviewer should be to identify the truth. Unfortunately, investigators have sometimes felt pressure to obtain a confession or may have biases based on the investigation that direct their focus on the wrong subject. Our mission at WZ is to provide investigators with a variety of tools to obtain truthful, reliable information as a part of their investigation. WZ is also dedicating time during training to discuss precautions for investigators to take in an effort to prevent false confessions and ultimately substantiate any admissions made by the subject.
- Investigative Interviews of Vulnerable PersonsMarch 15, 2023Investigative Interviews of Vulnerable Persons
- WZ Consults on Illinois Interview LegislationWZ Consults on Illinois Interview LegislationApril 15, 2022
- CRU Report TakeawaysAugust 11, 2020CRU Report Takeaways
- USA Today Article on Brendan Dassey’s Clemency PetitionOctober 3, 2019USA Today Article on Brendan Dassey’s Clemency Petition
- Brendan Dassey Clemency Press ConferenceOctober 3, 2019Brendan Dassey Clemency Press Conference
- Brendan Dassey Clemency CoverageOctober 3, 2019Brendan Dassey Clemency Coverage
- CIFS Symposium: Time Well SpentJune 24, 2019CIFS Symposium: Time Well Spent
- WZ Participates in Northwestern Law Journal Symposium: Key Takeaways for PractitionersMarch 13, 2019WZ Participates in Northwestern Law Journal Symposium: Key Takeaways for Practitioners
- WZ Response to Supreme Court Decision in Brendan Dassey CaseJune 26, 2018WZ Response to Supreme Court Decision in Brendan Dassey Case
- WZ Mentioned in The New Yorker ArticleJune 6, 2018WZ Mentioned in The New Yorker Article
- Amicus Brief – Supreme Court of the U.S.May 26, 2018Amicus Brief – Supreme Court of the U.S.
- Speaking of Psychology: False confessions aren’t always what they seemMay 1, 2018Speaking of Psychology: False confessions aren’t always what they seem
- Dassey WINS Federal Court Appeal: Wicklander-Zulawski Cited in DecisionJune 23, 2017Dassey WINS Federal Court Appeal: Wicklander-Zulawski Cited in Decision
- I Did It?!: WZ Blog ExcerptMarch 2, 2017I Did It?!: WZ Blog Excerpt
- Case Against ConfrontationMarch 2, 2017Case Against Confrontation
