Then DCSA needs to provide an RT/UC option for sources requesting telephone (won’t happen).
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It is also my understanding that federal investigators cannot do anything by telephone. At least that is what a fed told me.
No, Feds can but most in the Eastern US seem to think they will be fired for doing phone interviews. This is why i get the unintelligent stuff like a DC area agent calling to confirm a REFE/Flag source is available and then me having to do the interview (I am located very west of the Mississippi) by telephone because the Source is actually in another state/time zone than my location. BTW - the REFE did not know anything about the issue and told me they asked the other Agent if they could do the interview by phone during the original call.
I understand in general why we do them in person - I think everyone does - but to extend out a single item for a minor issue flag only needlessly delays the case.
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Covid has changed the rules on telephone use for sources. We have been told multiple time that telephone percentages of sources are of no concern at this time. A high percentage of counties throughout the US are in high covid levels right now (CDC website) and many people are unwilling to meet with a stranger.
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“big trouble” is a pretty loaded word. I can think of so many other things that can truly get an investigator into “big trouble” but complying with the reasonable requests of a cooperative source isn’t one of them. 
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@dd55, can you elaborate on that or cite your source? I am a contract investigator for one of the Big 3 and we’ve gotten every indication that interviewing sources by phone is fine as long as it is for one the provided reasons, eg “at the request” of the source.
I have received zero indication that investigators would be penalized or dinged for a large fraction of source phone testimonies. FYI I am in a ‘medium’ CDC covid area.
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I was told by my team lead that DCSA is tracking telephone testimonies back in June.
I think it is wise to be cautious about doing sources 80 percent plus via phone. Probably a 50/50 mix would be about right. The guidance gives lots of wiggle room to go with the phone, but it is probably best to avoid “steering” sources to use the phone. Whether DCSA cares about this, given the holes that are in the guidance, is uncertain. However to be safe it is probably best to be doing a chuck of sources in -person and not just acting like phone is some kind of default choice. What that mix is, I don’t know.
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Does DCSA allow investigators to use any specific type of background when they interview? Or is it the investigator choice/decision?
I don’t use any background, some agents use the DCSA provided background, some just use the white background with the program.
And this is why cases slowed down or may lack quality due to sources who should be interviewed not being interviewed. Let go of the phone rule, whoever made it up to get a promotion. Not helpful at all.
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But aren’t we back to the silliness of not letting Source know they have option for phone interview? They have to read our minds to find it I was basically told. Goofy and stupid. Should be transparent and professional and tell them all options.
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Not asking for OPSEC info, but if you are using a telephone, how can you even verify that the person you are speaking to is who they say they are? (As opposed to say the applicant or one of their friends pretending to be the boss, neighbor, etc).
Also, I can’t really believe investigators are not concerned about the loss of body language and non-verbal communication when it comes to using phones and even zoom calls.
Of course, all that is predicated on the fact that this is a true investigation, not a box-checking exercise
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Sources could lie about who they are in-person as well. Even if we as investigators suspect a Source is withholding information or not being truthful….can we confront them? NO. Can we put in the report or I-note that the we the Source’s body language was “off” during the interview or we suspect the Source was withholding information? NO.
Bottom line is if a Source is going to lie, they will do it regardless if in-person or over the phone.
Bring back the opinion for Sources to be interviewed by phone!
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Wow, you’re not even allowed to check IDs before interviews, etc? Tells me all I need to know about the level of “investigation” being performed. Maybe/hopefully it is different for some of the non-DOD agencies, especially the ones using retired 1811s
It’s security theater.
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so true. Had a source lie to me today…subject told me he was given marijuana by this source…when the question was asked, no knowledge of marijuana…
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We aren’t supposed to be Sherlock Holmes. Always remember that. These are background investigations with a human resources flavor…not criminal investigations resulting in imprisonment. Maybe this source gave 1000’s of people marijuana and doesn’t believe the Subject is one of them? Or maybe your Subject is lying? Keep an open mind and don’t get wrapped up in super sleuthing. You will only be disappointed.
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Yep. That source would have lied regardless whether it was in-person or by phone😣. Hopefully you didn’t have to drive to or far.
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I actually find that by interviewing people in person they are much less reluctant to lie to me in person than versus the telephone over many many years of doing background investigations. There are also ways you can rephrase and ask questions again by focusing on eye contact. Some people will still blatantly lie to our face but there’s absolutely no doubt that most people won’t lie to our face in person but they certainly feel more inclined to do it over the telephone or a video call.
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