Training Courses

Investigative Statement Analysis by PATC

Date & Time:
  • April 27, 2027 – April 29, 2027
Location:
Chambersburg, PA

Investigative Statement Analysis

Instructor: Bob Shaffer

Duration: 2.5 Days (20 PD Hours)

Cost: $525.00

Course Overview

This comprehensive training program is specifically designed for law enforcement professionals, prosecuting attorneys, arson investigators, private investigators, human resource specialists, and social workers who need advanced skills in detecting deception and identifying truthfulness in written and spoken statements.

What You'll Learn

The course focuses on the Linguistic Statement Analysis Technique (LSAT), a scientifically-based discipline that examines word choice, statement structure, and content to determine whether a statement is truthful or deceptive. Rather than relying on traditional emotional interpretation, LSAT uses identified linguistic signals to reveal deception, truthfulness, and hidden information that subjects may not have intended to disclose.

Through years of research in linguistics, psychology, and deception detection, experts have identified specific patterns in language that differentiate truthful statements from deceptive ones. This technique is equally effective when analyzing suspect, witness, and victim statements.

Key Skills You Will Develop

  • Recognize and understand concepts of truthfulness and deception in statements
  • Identify linguistic signals that indicate deception or truthfulness
  • Collect valid statements that are uninfluenced by outside factors
  • Analyze statement components systematically to extract maximum investigative information
  • Interpret validity assessment indicators to gauge deception levels
  • Apply advanced interview strategies using statement analysis insights to elicit confessions
  • Develop and utilize the LSAT Investigative Questionnaire (IQ) to simultaneously interview multiple suspects and rapidly narrow suspect pools by up to 95%
  • Improve interviewing efficiency and effectiveness while gaining insight into deceptive individuals' thought processes

Course Format and Structure

This highly interactive training emphasizes hands-on statement analysis practice. The schedule consists of two full days from 8am-5pm local time, followed by a final half-day from 8am-12pm local time. Participants complete a minimum of four practice statement analyses and examine five real criminal case statements to apply newly acquired skills.

All materials are provided, including workbooks, markers, pens, rulers, and handouts. Participants should bring a basic scientific pocket calculator and are encouraged to bring statements from past or current cases for use as classroom examples. Some challenging but enjoyable homework assignments may be assigned.

Training Formats Available

Basic Linguistic Analysis format addresses general criminal investigation applications. A specialized LSAT for Arson Investigation format is also available, maintaining the same core instruction with focus on arson-related statements.