---
name: interview-summary
title: Interview Summary
description: Generates structured summaries of witness or subject interviews for criminal defense investigations. Distills key facts, verbatim statements, credibility indicators, and follow-up leads. Use when summarizing defense interviews, witness debriefs, subject interrogations, or investigative interview notes.
author: CaseMark
author_url: https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/interview-summary
license: Apache-2.0
version: 0.1.0
execution_mode: open
jurisdiction: general
practice: criminal
language: en
---

# Interview Summary

Produces a structured memorandum distilling a witness or subject interview into actionable intelligence for defense teams and investigators.

## Prerequisites

1. **Interview materials** — transcript, audio transcription, investigator notes, or preliminary report
2. **Matter reference** — case name/number and investigation context
3. **Related evidence** — prior witness statements, documents shown during interview, or known inconsistencies

## Quick Start

Collect interview materials, then generate each section below in order. Mark the document `ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT — PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL`.

## Output Sections

### 1. Header Block

| Field | Content |
|-------|---------|
| Date/Time | Interview date, start/end time |
| Location | Interview site |
| Interviewee | Name, role, relationship to matter |
| Interviewer(s) | Names, titles |
| Counsel Present | Defense counsel, interviewee's counsel if any |
| Observers | Anyone else present |
| Matter Reference | Case name/number |
| Privilege Marking | `ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT — PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL` |

### 2. Executive Summary

3–5 sentences covering:
- Most significant factual revelations
- Key admissions or denials
- Overall credibility assessment
- Impact on defense theory

### 3. Substantive Summary

Organize **thematically, not chronologically**:
- **Background & Relationship** — connection to events, relevant history
- **Key Events** — who, what, when, where, why, how per incident
- **Knowledge of Other Parties** — interactions with co-defendants, witnesses, complainants
- **Documents & Communications** — documents shown, recognized, referenced; reactions to exhibits

Per theme:
- [ ] Lead with concise factual summary
- [ ] Embed verbatim quotes for significant statements (quotation marks + context)
- [ ] Note gaps where interviewee lacked knowledge or memory

### 4. Credibility & Demeanor

| Indicator | Observation |
|-----------|-------------|
| Consistency | Internal contradictions within interview |
| External conflicts | Contradictions with other evidence or witnesses |
| Demeanor | Evasiveness, reluctance, confidence on specific topics |
| Motive/Bias | Relationship factors affecting reliability |
| Corroboration | Statements supported by independent evidence |

### 5. Exculpatory / Inculpatory Assessment

| Category | Statement/Fact | Significance |
|----------|---------------|--------------|
| Exculpatory | ... | ... |
| Inculpatory | ... | ... |
| Ambiguous | ... | ... |

### 6. Follow-Up & Recommendations

- [ ] Additional witnesses identified (name, contact, expected knowledge)
- [ ] Documents to obtain
- [ ] Topics requiring re-interview or clarification
- [ ] Investigative leads generated
- [ ] Areas needing corroboration

## Pitfalls & Checks

- **Objectivity** — Distinguish interviewee statements, interviewer observations, and analytical assessments. Label each.
- **Discoverability** — Assume the summary may be disclosed. No speculation, no strategy, no mental impressions beyond factual observations.
- **Privilege** — Mark header with work-product designation. Do not embed legal strategy.
- **Precision** — Use exact names, dates, amounts. Flag approximations with `[approx.]`.
- **Verbatim quotes** — Use for admissions, denials, key characterizations, and potential impeachment material. Include surrounding context.
- **Neutral tone** — Factual language only. Label legal conclusions as analysis.

---