Orbit

This chapter provides a detailed overview of the Observing Rapport Based Interpersonal Techniques (ORBIT) model of interviewing and its principles. It discusses how ORBIT is unique in that it evolved out of analysis of the largest sample of real-world interrogations in the world. The authors explain how they gained access to the data and their approach to analysis and coding. The chapter then describes the ORBIT approach to building rapport and describes ORBIT’s interpersonal behavior model. It also outlines the other variables that make up the ORBIT coding framework, including their measure of detainee engagement and yield. It uses a real-world example of an interrogation with Colonel Russel Williams to show how the ORBIT model works in practice.