Borderline Personality Disorder: The Impact on the Person‐Centred Approach to Commercial Forensic Interviewing
Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling
Published online on July 09, 2026
Abstract
["Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, Volume 23, Issue 3, October 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nCommercial crime is a global problem and Commercial Forensic Practitioners (FPs) play a crucial role during the investigative process to investigate, detect and/or prevent this type of crime. Commercial forensic interviewing forms an integral and unavoidable part of any investigation process and is one of the most effective tools for obtaining admissible information when it is suspected that fraudulent acts have occurred within an organisation. This article focuses on the person‐centred approach to interviewing (PCA), as the relational qualities of this technique are supported by research and fall within the framework of relevant legal prescripts of South Africa. Previous research indicates that personality disorders can have a significant impact on the commercial forensic interview (CFI). Due to the prevalence of borderline personality disorder (BPD), this article focuses exclusively on this type of personality disorder. This study aims to investigate the impact of BPD on the PCA. A critical literature review was carried out, and it was found that the symptoms of BPD may have a significant impact on the acquisition of admissible information during CFIs, and more specifically the relational qualities of the PCA. An FP who is aware of the impact of BPD on the relational qualities of the PCA will be more likely to obtain admissible information when interviewing individuals with suspected BPD or persons showing traits of BPD.\n"]