The Witness Matrix: A Smarter Way to Strategize Investigative Interviews
The Witness Matrix classifies witnesses by cooperation and knowledge — four types, each demanding a different interview strategy.
Not all witnesses are created equal. Yet too often, investigators walk into interviews with a single script.
The Witness Matrix, developed internally at STB Integrity, offers a structured method to classify witnesses based on two key traits:
Cooperation (how open and helpful they are) and
Knowledge (how much relevant information they hold).
This model, adapted from leadership matrices, helps investigators conserve energy, maximize value, and adapt approaches in real time.
Engaged Insider – High Cooperation, High Knowledge
Guarded Insider – Low Cooperation, High Knowledge
Helpful Outsider – High Cooperation, Low Knowledge
Uninformed & Unhelpful – Low Cooperation, Low Knowledge
It’s not just about being efficient; it’s about being strategic. Each type of witness needs a different approach to unlock their full value.
These are your ideal witnesses: knowledgeable, motivated, and open. They’re not just useful for facts, but for context, dynamics, and the “why” behind events.
Let them speak freely with open-ended questions.
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Topics: Investigations
