Would You Like to Slip into Something More Comfortable, Abdul?

I was just listening to a homicide detective describe the attributes that made an investigator successful at extracting useful crime information from interviews. Minutes before, the discussion had touched on how no one these days — witnesses or suspects — wanted to talk to the police.

He said, training helped, but experience and personality were also important. Personality, most of all.

Personality?

You have to have a manner that makes the subject comfortable talking to you, he said. If they're uncomfortable, they won't tell you anything.

No mention of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment as a useful technique, but then, I was listening to public radio.