Explore the Methods

Specialized Training in the Science and Practice of Interviewing

Conversation Tradecraft™ offers focused instruction in established interviewing methodologies and specialized applications of human information acquisition.

Elicitation

Obtaining Information Through Purposeful Conversation

Explore the psychological and conversational principles underlying elicitation, including information objectives, rapport, question design, conversational opportunities, and techniques for encouraging meaningful disclosure.
Develop the ability to recognize and structure opportunities for obtaining information in professional, investigative, and intelligence-related interactions.

Cognitive Interviewing

Understanding Memory. Improving Recall.

Learn how cognitive interviewing techniques draw upon the science of human memory to support detailed recollection and improve the completeness of information obtained from cooperative interviewees.
Examine retrieval strategies, context reinstatement, open-ended questioning, and methods for minimizing suggestibility and memory contamination.

Cognitive Credibility Assessment

Evaluating Accounts Through Evidence and Cognitive Science

Study research-informed approaches to evaluating statements and accounts, including cognitive interviewing principles, information quality, narrative characteristics, and the relationship between claims and independently established facts.
Learn to assess credibility through structured inquiry, corroboration, and alternative explanations rather than relying on simplistic behavioral indicators or presumed signs of deception.

Strategic Use of Evidence (SUE)

When and How Evidence Is Introduced Matters.

Examine the Strategic Use of Evidence methodology and its research foundations in investigative interviewing.
Learn how the timing, sequencing, and presentation of evidence can support the evaluation of competing accounts, identify statement–evidence inconsistencies, and guide subsequent investigative inquiry.

PEACE Investigative Interviewing

A Structured Framework for Ethical, Information-Gathering Interviews

Develop proficiency in the PEACE framework: Planning and Preparation, Engage and Explain, Account, Clarification and Challenge, Closure, and Evaluation.
Explore how a structured, non-coercive interviewing process supports effective preparation, comprehensive accounts, professional engagement, and systematic post-interview assessment.

Conversation Management

Structure the Interaction. Manage the Information.

Learn how to organize and guide complex conversations while maintaining appropriate rapport, focus, and information objectives.
Develop skills in question sequencing, conversational transitions, topic management, clarification, and adapting interview strategies as information emerges.

Cyber Threat Actor Interviewing

Understanding the Human Behind the Cyberattack

Apply interviewing and elicitation principles to cybercrime and cybersecurity investigations.
Explore approaches to interviewing individuals associated with cyber intrusions, social engineering, fraud, malicious insider activity, and other cyber-enabled offenses.
Training addresses cyber-specific interview preparation, technical and behavioral information objectives, offender decision-making, operational narratives, and methods for developing investigative and behavioral intelligence.

Insider Threat Interviewing

Investigating Risk at the Intersection of People, Behavior, and Organizations

Develop specialized interviewing competencies for insider threat inquiries involving employees, contractors, trusted users, and other individuals with authorized access.
Examine approaches to investigating concerning behavior, policy violations, potential misconduct, information misuse, and suspected malicious insider activity.
Emphasis is placed on structured preparation, neutral information gathering, contextual behavioral assessment, and avoiding premature conclusions.

The Conversation Tradecraft™ Resource Library

Proprietary Tools for Learning, Planning, and Application.

Our training extends beyond conventional course presentations.
Conversation Tradecraft™ incorporates specialized educational guides, operational reference materials, structured workbooks, and proprietary training modules designed to help students translate interviewing knowledge into practical skills.

Online Elicitation™

Specialized instruction in information elicitation through digital and computer-mediated communications, examining how online environments influence interpersonal engagement, disclosure, credibility, and conversational strategy.

Cyber Credibility Assessment™

An applied educational resource for examining credibility challenges in cyber investigations, including online identities, digital communications, cyber-related accounts, and opportunities for corroboration.

Cyber Threat Actor Interview Field Guide™

A specialized reference for preparing and conducting interviews involving cyber threat actors, with emphasis on investigative objectives, behavioral inquiry, cyber-specific terminology, and operationally relevant information.

Elicitation Playbook™

A practical guide to elicitation principles, conversational planning, information objectives, engagement strategies, and applied information-gathering techniques.

Science of Conversations

An exploration of the cognitive, psychological, linguistic, and interpersonal mechanisms underlying human conversation, communication, influence, and information disclosure.

Insider Threat Interview Workbook™

A structured learning and planning resource for insider threat interviewing, supporting interview preparation, information development, behavioral inquiry, and systematic evaluation.

Information Elicitation Playbook™

An applied reference for translating information requirements into conversational strategies, identifying information gaps, and developing purposeful questioning approaches.

The Cyber-Attack Interview Blueprint™

A structured approach to cyberattack-related interviewing that connects technical investigative information, offender behavior, decision-making, and strategic information acquisition.

More than course materials, these resources are designed to support the transition from learning a methodology to applying it in professional practice.