Interview Techniques & Strategies Flashcards

Which of the following best describes 'confirmation bias' as a risk in forensic interviewing?

Answer: The interviewer seeking and interpreting information in ways that confirm a pre-existing hypothesis

Confirmation bias causes interviewers to unconsciously favor information that supports their initial hypothesis, threatening objectivity and accuracy.

When an interview subject provides a denial, the forensic interviewer should first:

Answer: Acknowledge the denial and continue with open-ended questions to explore their account

Acknowledging the denial without accepting or challenging it maintains rapport and keeps the subject engaged in the interview process.

In the context of statement analysis, what does an 'out-of-sequence' statement typically suggest?

Answer: Information that was particularly significant or emotionally salient may be intentionally or unintentionally displaced

Out-of-sequence statements often highlight emotionally significant information the subject is processing non-linearly, warranting further exploration.

A forensic interviewer is conducting a second interview with a witness who previously provided a statement to police. What is the primary concern?

Answer: Prior interviews may have contaminated the witness's memory through suggestion or rehearsal

Repeated questioning can alter memory through suggestibility, reinforcement of prior accounts, or inadvertent introduction of misinformation.

What role does 'active listening' play in the forensic interview process?

Answer: It demonstrates engagement, encourages continued disclosure, and helps detect inconsistencies

Active listening through verbal and non-verbal feedback signals engagement, builds rapport, and enables the interviewer to identify gaps or contradictions in real time.

Which of the following interview strategies is most effective when a subject claims a complete lack of memory about the event in question?

Answer: Use context reinstatement and ask about peripheral details to stimulate recall

Context reinstatement and peripheral detail questioning can stimulate genuine memory retrieval or reveal inconsistencies in claimed amnesia.

What is the primary ethical obligation of a forensic interviewer regarding the accuracy of their documented findings?

Answer: To provide a complete and objective record regardless of whether findings support or contradict the investigation's theory

Forensic interviewers have an ethical duty to document all findings objectively, including information that may exculpate a suspect, to ensure justice.