SUSPECTS AND WITNESSES [Main Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.


  • Title: SUSPECTS AND WITNESSES [Main Title]
  • Film Number: AMY 576
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: A United States Army training film describing the various techniques used by the Military Police to secure a successful outcome when dealing with criminal offences within the Armed Forces. A series of enactments are used to illustrate these techniques, commencing with the initial interview to the final judgement and sentencing. The film is also suitable for the training of the British Military Police.
  • Description: Reel one: “Part 1. Basic interviews”: The film opens to the Provost Marshall (PM) at his desk addressing the camera explaining the principals of interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects, illustrated with examples from his files, re-enacted for this film. Start by asking questions of those involved and any witnesses. An army truck has collided with a civilian car, both drivers give conflicting accounts, and is resolved in favour of the civilian after the army passenger in the truck, nervous and under stress, admitted his driver was at fault. The PM lists the qualities required when interrogating the suspect: patience, a courteous manner, an ability to sieve out the facts, and to reason what, if any, the witness and suspect stand to gain with their version of the incident. Reel two: “Part 2. Complainants and hostile witnesses”: Film returns to PM who states there are as many types of witness as there are people. A woman is complaining about physical abuse from an Army male individual known to her. Assault is a serious matter. Two interviewers from the P M staff, and a woman chaperone, interrogate her and warn that a court Marshall is likely if her evidence is found to be true. Her manner changes immediately and refuses to sign a statement of her evidence. Eventually it becomes apparent the motive for the complaint was the woman’s desire to obtain a new coat from her ‘assailant’, who was not charged with assault. Another type of witness is considered, that of two friends drinking in a bar. One gets into a fight with a bystander, and damages property. His friend witnesses this but when called for interrogation by the PM remains silent and uncooperative, wishing to protect his companion from a charge. The PM explains the 31st Article says a non-suspect cannot withhold from answering questions. Failure to comply results in a charge to the non-suspect. The witness’s memory suddenly became very clear and he provides the evidence to convict his companion. The PM sums up and notes how an understanding of human nature in general and human motives in particular, help to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. Reel three: “Interrogating suspects”. Film cuts back to PM at his desk. The interrogation of suspects demands far higher skills than interviewing suspects. The key to a successful interrogation is preparation, the object to get a confession. Special interrogation room is soundproofed, has concealed microphones and tape recorder, two way mirrors to secretly observe suspect. Written plan of investigation, plus proof of the crime. Two men are suspected of breaking into the PX store. They are interrogated separately, a trick question is introduced showing a discrepancy in their statements, the two suspects are brought together and they confess to the crime. The PM notes that with two suspects involved there are ways of playing one off with the other. The PM presents another case from his files, that of a murder which took place in the American zone of occupied Germany. In a wood not far from the US Army station, a woman was found brutally beaten to death. Evidence from the scene was investigated in the criminal laboratory, leading straight to Private Trooper, who had been involved in previous assault cases. Film cuts to interrogation room, warm up conversation, change of strategy: ‘why did you hit that girl?’ No response until blood stained items of clothing produced. The Trooper’s facial expression changes and explains he took the girl into the woods where she hit him with a rock, so he fatally attacked her. The investigating team have one side only of the storey, requesting the Court Martial have due consideration. The film closes as the PM notes that common sense and good judgement must prevail. There is no substitute for good police work and sound investigation.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: AMY 576
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions:
  • Featured Period:
  • Production Date: 1956
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • Production Details: UNITED STATES ARMY (Production sponsor)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound
  • Technical Details: Format: 16mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 3 Length: 2859ft
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    AMY 576

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register