Goodnight, Kenneth M. Interviewing concepts: interviewing factors - first contact. National Fire & Arson Report. Vol 13 No 1 (March 1995). p 10-11.

Abstract: This article discusses how to handle first approaching a subject to be interviewed.

Some of the first contact factors that the author discusses are appearance (clothing, jewelry, grooming, physical features), handshake (grip, aggressive, texture), smell (perfumes and colognes, chemical odors, body odor), personality (extroverted or introverted), intelligence and speech patterns.

Some of the interviewer factors to be considered are appearance, clothing (proper dress, colors), spatial relationships, attitude, actions and words (body positions, hands, posture, eye contact), controlled reactions, listening skills and professionalism.

One must also consider who is being interviewed. Is it an impartial witness, a partial witness or a principal subject.