CFA Interviewing Strategies & Reporting Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which interviewing technique involves allowing long pauses after a subject's answer to encourage them to continue speaking?
- The Reid Technique
- The strategic use of silence (Correct answer)
- Cognitive interviewing
- The PEACE model
Correct 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.
Question 2: In a fraud investigation report, what is the primary purpose of the executive summary section?
- To provide detailed transaction-level evidence
- To list all witnesses interviewed
- To give senior decision-makers a concise overview of findings and conclusions (Correct answer)
- To document the chain of custody for evidence
Correct 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.
Question 3: A fraud examiner suspects an employee is lying during an interview. Which behavioral indicator is considered the LEAST reliable sign of deception?
- Avoidance of direct answers
- Lack of eye contact (Correct answer)
- Inconsistencies between statements and known facts
- Micro-expressions of contempt
Correct 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.
Question 4: When conducting an admission-seeking interview, at what stage should the examiner first present evidence of the subject's wrongdoing?
- At the very start to establish authority
- Only after the subject has made a partial admission
- After building rapport and transitioning to the accusatory phase (Correct answer)
- Evidence should never be presented during the interview
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'theme' in an admission-seeking interview?
- A legal argument used to justify the investigation
- A moral justification or rationalization that minimizes the subject's guilt to encourage confession (Correct answer)
- A scripted list of questions to ask the subject
- A summary of the physical evidence collected
Correct 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.
Question 6: What does the term 'spoliation of evidence' mean in the context of a fraud investigation?
- Unauthorized disclosure of investigation findings
- The intentional destruction or alteration of evidence (Correct answer)
- Collecting evidence without a proper warrant
- Sharing evidence with opposing counsel prematurely
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which structure is recommended for organizing a formal fraud investigation report?
- Chronological order of evidence collection only
- Alphabetical listing of all suspects
- Introduction, scope, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations (Correct answer)
- A narrative essay without headings for readability
Correct 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.
CFA Interviewing Strategies & Reporting Methods 2
Which interviewing technique involves allowing long pauses after a subject's answer to encourage them to continue speaking?