Gathering evidence: problems, training requirements, and good practices in the Italian Judicial Police force

This paper studies the difficulties encountered by the Italian Judicial Police (IJP) in gathering evidence and conducting interrogations. Our research study highlighted several problems derived from a lack of adequate training in the following activities: gathering evidence from witnesses; preparing JP for giving evidence during trial and conducting ethical interrogations. Based on the findings of a qualitative research study involving the IJP, the author identifies areas where training is required and offers suggestions on how to carry out interrogations that protect both the person under interrogation and the Judicial Police (JPs) interrogating. In response to the problems highlighted by the JP, we suggest the following best practices: video recording of interrogations as a monitoring and training instrument; compulsory transcription of interrogation reports; addressing specific training needs for gathering evidence, and finally, establishing operational protocols and shared guidelines which cou...