Our training sessions are provided by subject matter experts with extensive work experience in their respective fields. Prior to all training events, the content is discussed with the client and adjusted to the specific needs and daily activities of the participants. Training is offered internationally and in English or in the Dutch language. Clients can register for training sessions advertised on this website or can contact us for specific training to be provided on location.



Investigative skills for claim investigators

Determining reliability of claimants and deception in statements

During this 2-day training event participants will learn how to conduct efficient and in-depth claim investigations by learning to recognise the psychological aspects and dynamics of the case: e.g. behavioural deviancies, deception indicators and malingering or mental disorder. Participants will investigate real-life cases, substantiate their findings and describe how they would continue their examination.

Day 1

The psychology of perception and memory

How do people process their observations? When is information forgotten or under which circumstances is it expected that someone will have difficulty retrieving information? How reliable are detailed statements in which traumatic events are described? How reliable is a statement where a claimant tells an examiner that they have total memory loss of the event? All these questions will be addressed in this session and the scientific support for certain beliefs will be presented.

Investigative qualities

People and their behaviour are contextual and dynamic in nature. Behaviour is often misinterpreted or miscommunicated and the investigator is not always successful in being the neutral objective fact finder. The importance of investigative qualities, such as objectivity, neutrality, focus on inconsistency and manipulation, multiple source investigation and a critical approach to witness statements, will be highlighted in this section and explained with case presentations.

Reconstruction of circumstances

Participants will learn to focus on the events and circumstances that lead to the initial claim, together with the personal traits of the claimant. The relevance of a timeline and reconstruction of the actual incident will be discussed, and participants will practise by determining which information is relevant from these analyses.

Identifying malingering

Participants will familiarise themselves with indicators for malingering psychiatric disorder. Psychological tests that can help to identify malingering will be presented.

Interviewing claimants

Participants will learn that a systematic multifaceted examination, including behaviour in and out of the interview situation, need to be investigated in detail before it is possible to make a determination for the presence of malingering. Specific aspects of interviewing deceitful claimants will be highlighted. For more extensive interview training refer to Psychological Interview strategy (training 2)

Day 2

A full day will be dedicated to psychological disorders that are often falsely presented by claimants: post-traumatic stress disorder, delusional disorder or schizophrenia and mood disorder. Cases will be presented and participants will learn basic skills on how to distinguish between honest and seemingly dishonest claims. The latter deals with cases where an investigator has legitimate suspicion or concern that someone is faking or exaggerating psychological injury. Participants will become familiar with how other sources of information might help their assessment of malingering.