Preparation is the most important factor in conducting successful interrogations. Factors to consider when preparing interrogations include setting and environmental considerations, knowledge of case facts, familiarity with subjects' backgrounds, and methods of documenting confessions. Investigators must also make a clear distinction between the two processes of interviewing and interrogating subjects. An interview should precede every interrogation. Through the interview, officers learn about the subjects and their needs, fears, concerns, and attitudes. They then use this information to prepare themes or arguments to use during interrogations. Lack of arguments and themes to persuade subjects to tell the truth is a major cause of interrogation failures. There are three main solutions to address this problems. First, experience provides investigators with an ever-increasing supply of arguments; second, preparation allows investigators to plan their persuasive themes and arguments before interrogating subjects; third, conducting good interviews before the interrogations and noting the subjects' key responses allows investigators to convert these answers into persuasive themes and arguments in interrogations. Other important aspects of interrogations are establishing a plan, building a good relationship with the subject, allowing enough time, acquiring adequate training, and knowing some interrogations will inevitably fail. 17 notes and 5 suggested readings