In the old Hollywood "mobster" movies, the gangsters referred to their lawyers as
"mouthpieces." The gangsters always seemed to be worried that someone would "rat
them out" or "turn state's evidence" against them. They were concerned that "this
someone" would "sing like a canary" to the authorities. Such potential threats were
often "rubbed out," not "cancelled."
There are tried-and-true methods or techniques to get a witness to "sing like a
canary." These include the "funneling technique," the "listing technique," the "lima
bean routine" of questioning, as well as various others. Unfortunately, these are not
usually taught; the only way to learn these has been "the hard way," that is the college
of hard knocks. The basics, when executed properly, every time, are what make us
professionals. Sign up to learn these fundamental questioning techniques.