On the concept and essence of contact established by the investigator during interrogation

Based on the analysis of theoretical material and on the results of questioning of investigators the article concluded that: a) commonly used term “psychological contact” during interrogation and the need to achieve mutual psychological understanding and empathy, as well as other components of empathic interaction does not match today's realities of interrogation of suspects and accused, carried out, as a rule, in the conditions of opposition; b) the author proposes to use the term “communicative contact” as a condition in which the interrogated person is ready to receive and give information on the case. The author analyzes the reasons preventing the investigator from establishing contact with the suspect and the accused during the interrogation. It is proposed to consider communicative contact as the minimum necessary condition for interrogation, with the need for its constant maintenance and strengthening in order to achieve psychological contact.