Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base
Military Defense Investigation Authority Publication
Authority Publication No. DI-053
Listening Is an Investigator's Skill | UCMJ Investigations
Independent Military Defense Investigations
Supporting Attorneys, Service Members, and Families
Publication Date: August 24, 2026
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Executive Summary
Good interviewing depends as much on listening as on asking questions.
An investigator who is focused on the next question can miss hesitation, uncertainty, changes in terminology, unexpected details, and information that opens an entirely new line of inquiry. This Authority Publication examines listening as a practical investigative skill in military defense work.
Effective listening means allowing a witness to explain events in their own words, recognizing when an answer needs clarification, distinguishing observation from assumption, and following details that do not fit the expected narrative. It also requires resisting the urge to argue with a witness or force an account into a predetermined theory.
Careful listening can reveal memory limitations, sources of secondhand information, contradictions, and corroborating leads.
The purpose of an interview is not merely to complete a list of prepared questions.
It is to understand what the witness actually knows and how that knowledge can be independently evaluated.
Who Should Read This Publication?
- Military defense attorneys preparing or evaluating UCMJ cases
- Service members and families seeking to understand the investigative process
- Private investigators supporting military defense counsel
- Investigators reviewing evidence, witnesses, records, and timelines
Companion Video
This companion video expands on the investigative concepts presented in this Authority Publication through additional explanation, practical examples, and professional investigative insight.
About Michael West
The investigative guidance presented throughout these Authority Publications is based upon decades of professional experience conducting military, federal, criminal, civil, and private investigations. The principles discussed in these publications are drawn from real investigative work involving complex cases, witness development, evidence analysis, and factual case preparation.
Michael West has served as a Special Agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and the Department of Defense Inspector General, conducted federal background investigations, and spent decades working as a licensed private investigator supporting attorneys, businesses, service members, and private clients. Throughout his career, his work has focused on identifying facts, locating witnesses, analyzing evidence, and strengthening the factual foundation of legal cases through independent investigation.
The Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base was created to share that investigative experience in a practical, understandable format. Its purpose is to help attorneys, service members, and families better understand the investigative process, ask more informed questions, and recognize opportunities where independent investigation may strengthen the defense.
Important Information
This Authority Publication is provided for educational and informational purposes and is intended to help readers better understand military defense investigations and the investigative process. It is based upon professional investigative experience and is designed to provide practical investigative insight rather than legal advice.
Every military case is unique. The investigative strategies, factual issues, and legal considerations applicable to one case may not apply to another. Readers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding legal rights, legal strategy, and decisions involving their individual circumstances.
Nothing contained in this publication should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship or an investigator-client relationship. References to investigative techniques, procedures, or case examples are provided solely to illustrate investigative principles and should not be considered legal guidance.
Effective military defense is strengthened by informed legal representation supported by thorough factual investigation. The purpose of these Authority Publications is to help readers better understand that investigative process so they can communicate more effectively with qualified legal counsel and make informed decisions throughout the military justice process.