Interviewing Strategies & Reporting Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Interviewing Strategies & Reporting Methods flashcards as text
Which interviewing technique involves allowing long pauses after a subject's answer to encourage them to continue speaking?
Answer: The strategic use of silence
Strategic use of silence creates psychological discomfort that often prompts subjects to fill the void with additional — sometimes incriminating — information.
In a fraud investigation report, what is the primary purpose of the executive summary section?
Answer: To give senior decision-makers a concise overview of findings and conclusions
The executive summary distills key findings, conclusions, and recommendations for busy executives who may not read the full report.
A fraud examiner suspects an employee is lying during an interview. Which behavioral indicator is considered the LEAST reliable sign of deception?
Answer: Lack of eye contact
Research shows that lack of eye contact is a cultural behavior and poor deception indicator, while inconsistencies with known facts are far more reliable.
When conducting an admission-seeking interview, at what stage should the examiner first present evidence of the subject's wrongdoing?
Answer: After building rapport and transitioning to the accusatory phase
Presenting evidence prematurely can cause a subject to become defensive; evidence is most effective after rapport is established and an accusatory theme is introduced.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'theme' in an admission-seeking interview?
Answer: A moral justification or rationalization that minimizes the subject's guilt to encourage confession
Themes are moral justifications or rationalizations offered by the interviewer to reduce the subject's perceived shame and make admission psychologically easier.
What does the term 'spoliation of evidence' mean in the context of a fraud investigation?
Answer: The intentional destruction or alteration of evidence
Spoliation refers to the intentional or negligent destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence relevant to a legal proceeding, which can result in adverse inferences.
Which structure is recommended for organizing a formal fraud investigation report?
Answer: Introduction, scope, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations
A well-structured fraud report follows a logical progression from introduction through methodology and findings to conclusions and actionable recommendations.