CFE Interviewing and Interrogation 3

Question 1

Which interview technique involves asking about hypothetical third parties to reduce a suspect's embarrassment and encourage admission?

Accepted Answer

Third-party projection

Answer

Third-party projection uses statements like 'some people in similar situations have done X' to distance the suspect from shame and open dialogue.

Question 2

A fraud examiner is interviewing a witness who suddenly becomes evasive when asked about expense reports. What should the examiner do?

Accepted Answer

Make a note and return to the topic later with a different approach

Answer

Returning to sensitive topics later with a different framing can yield information once the witness is more comfortable or off-guard.

Question 3

Which of the following is a characteristic of a truthful denial during an interrogation?

Accepted Answer

Immediate, direct, and specific denial

Answer

Truthful denials tend to be spontaneous, direct, and unqualified, whereas deceptive denials are often hedged or delayed.

Question 4

What is the purpose of 'minimization' in an interrogation context?

Accepted Answer

Offering moral justifications or excuses to make admitting easier for the suspect

Answer

Minimization offers the subject face-saving rationalizations, lowering psychological barriers to confession.

Question 5

During an interview, the subject says 'To be honest with you...' before answering a key question. How should this qualifier be interpreted?

Accepted Answer

As a potential verbal indicator that the subject may be less than fully honest otherwise

Answer

Qualifiers like 'to be honest' can signal that the subject's default is not full honesty, though they are not conclusive proof of deception.

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