When Witnesses Disagree

In my last post, I recommended conducting an internal investigation as a first step in embezzlement cases. So what happens when two witnesses disagree? This scenario can easily derail your investigation, unless you have a clear plan for getting to the truth.

In a recent article in Business Management Daily, Louis DiLorenzo offers three practical steps that you can use to free up the conflicting witness logjam and get your investigation moving again.

• Recognize your own biases and try to maintain a calm, objective mindset.
• Take down notes immediately after the witness has left the room. These notes should reflect observations - particularly non-verbal cues. At this stage, it's still way to early for conclusions.
• Bring in another investigator. Not only will a second person be helpful in taking notes, but a second set of observations and impressions will help you evaluate your own.

In addition to these tips, DiLorenzo also offers four factors that you can use to assess witness credibility.

• Demeanor
• Consistency
• Chronology
• Past History and Motivations

When observing witness demeanor, notice indicators such as cooperativeness, hostility, and nervousness. Preparing charts that focus on the timing of events recounted by witnesses will help you to compare accounts given by others and evaluate consistency. Physical evidence such as expense reports and emails can become valuable tools for establishing a chronology of events. Finally, delving into the past history and possible motivations of your witnesses will help you determine if anyone had reason to lie during questioning.

You can read Louis DiLorenzo's full article here.