Interviewing and Investigating delivers a strong foundation in skills as well as the civil, criminal, and non-litigation context in which they are used. The practical emphasis throughout the text encourages students to �learn by doing.� The author brings almost thirty years of experience as a practitioner and teacher to bear, showing students the critical connection between law and fact, the best ways to engage in effective analysis, and the essentials of good communication skills. Well-crafted pedagogy in every chapter helps students apply the principles under review: illustrations, examples, hypotheticals, and Learn by Doing exercises. Examples are drawn from a variety of both civil and criminal, litigation and non-litigation scenarios. A key chapter on ethical issues and related material throughout the book emphasizes the professional standards expected of the paralegal. Four case studies designed to be used with the �Learn by Doing� exercises in each chapter provide realistic scenarios for applying concepts. Useful appendices provide resources, including extensive information on online assistance for investigators. The flexible organization suits a variety of course configurations. The Instructor�s Manual includes a sample syllabus, suggestions for use as either a one or two-semester course, approaches to teaching the materials, character descriptions to accompany the case studies, instructions for role playing in the case studies, a sample form to use in evaluating student interviewers, and a test bank covering each chapter of the text.
The Fifth Edition introduces new �Learn by Doing� and �Sleuth on the Loose� features as well as more than a dozen new cases. All references to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure have been brought into compliance with the Federal Courts Jurisdiction and Venue Clarification Act of 2011. Likewise, all references to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and to the Federal Rules of Evidence in Chapters are updated to the latest amendments approved by Congress. �Foundations for Interviewing and Investigating� has been expanded. Subjects such as personal and subject matter jurisdiction in civil cases, venue, and alternative dispute resolution are dealt with in more detail than ever before, and a number of new Examples and Illustrations have been added. The coverage of the Federal Rules of Evidence has also been significantly expanded and new Examples added, particularly in connection with the hearsay rule and its exceptions. The text reflects continuing changes in communication technology. Chapters dealing with federal rules of civil and criminal procedure and evidence now direct students to online sites for current versions of the rules, rather than to appendices. The �Resources for the Investigator� appendix has been refreshed and expanded is more comprehensive and practical than ever before.
