Loss Prevention Blog

What types of evidence and/or clues are often buried in confessions that are easily overlooked? Corporate Combat® has ‘coined’ the term Crookie Crumbs™ as a descriptor of these types of clues. The following is a sample page (one of eight) that was taken after nearly an 8 hour non-custodial interrogation. The subject providing the confession was a long-term bookkeeper. In just this one page of her 8 page confession, she provided 15 Crookie Crumbs™. Are there more? Possibly. If you find more, let us know and we will revise the graphic!

Her confession led to a 5 month investigation of a pharmacist. Her clues, or Crookie Crumbs™, were instrumental in gaining valuable insight in not only how to proceed with the investigation, but how to formulate the interrogation process that would take place months later.

Review the confession and determine for yourself what we learned prior to confronting the pharmacist.

The pharmacist can be seen committing theft on this video. Note: This pharmacist was never told that he was captured on video. The video only served as a tool for the interrogator. A tool that he was trained (”The Art of Corporate Combat®”) not to use and for a good reason. Had he used the video evidence during the course of the interrogation, it might have severely compromised the outcome and minimized the chances of obtaining his handwritten confession. Do you know why it would have compromised the interrogation?

I would like to initiate research into what others would say are the most important qualities or abilities a business owner should look for when hiring a Retail Loss Prevention [LP] Consultant, an LP in-house manager or supervisor or an LP Investigator (not in-house.) There may be some additional “titles” but the examples I provided here are intended to reflect that group of LP individuals who fit a role that extends beyond detecting, apprehending, and processing shoplifters (external theft.)

Some qualities would include the following:

• Common sense
• Quick thinking and quick, but controlled, reactions
• Ability to interpret and evaluate body language
• Perceptiveness to potential violence
• Patience
• Tenacity despite possible intimidation
• Quick mental insight or discernment
• Maturity to rise above delight in others’ downfall
• Ability to examine shortcomings candidly
• Good memory
• Ability to avoid emotional entanglements
• Acting ability

An interviewer needs BUSINESS-RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• Apprehension of shoplifters
• Sales background (to sell self)
• Retail background
• A degree in business, law enforcement, or psychology
• Courses in behavioral science/psychology, criminal interrogation and applicable laws and regulations

An interviewer needs to be a GOOD COMMUNICATOR:

• Above average verbal and writing skills
• Above average listening
• Wide vocabulary plus correct word choice and word use
• Ability to communicate with people at any educational level, job rank, social status
• Attuned to different personality characteristics
• Quick mastery of information about jobs and associated jargon

I would like others to add to this list. From here, I would like to dig deeper into each quality.