CIG CIG Interview & Interrogation Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'cognitive interview' technique?
- To psychologically pressure a suspect into confessing
- To enhance the memory retrieval of cooperative witnesses by using mental reinstatement and open recall (Correct answer)
- To detect lies using neurological monitoring equipment
- To document physical evidence at a crime scene
Correct answer: To enhance the memory retrieval of cooperative witnesses by using mental reinstatement and open recall
The cognitive interview is a scientifically validated technique designed to help cooperative witnesses retrieve more complete and accurate memories by mentally reinstating the context of the event.
Question 2: When interviewing a potential subject of an investigation, why is it important to begin with 'baseline' questions?
- To establish the subject's professional background for the record
- To observe the subject's normal verbal and nonverbal behavior before asking accusatory questions (Correct answer)
- To test whether the recording equipment is functioning correctly
- To comply with union notification requirements
Correct answer: To observe the subject's normal verbal and nonverbal behavior before asking accusatory questions
Baseline questions about neutral, non-threatening topics allow the investigator to observe how the subject normally behaves when not under stress, providing a comparison point for detecting deception later.
Question 3: What is the 'funnel approach' in investigative interviewing?
- Channeling all interviews through a single lead investigator
- Beginning with broad open-ended questions and progressively narrowing to specific details (Correct answer)
- Limiting interview questions to only those topics listed in a subpoena
- Using multiple investigators to cover different subject areas simultaneously
Correct answer: Beginning with broad open-ended questions and progressively narrowing to specific details
The funnel approach structures an interview by starting with broad, general questions to obtain an uncontaminated narrative, then progressively asking more specific questions to clarify and probe details.
Question 4: Which of the following represents a legally recognized risk of the Reid Technique that has led many law enforcement agencies to adopt alternative methods?
- It is too time-consuming for routine interviews
- Its confrontational approach can produce false confessions, especially from vulnerable populations (Correct answer)
- It requires specialized polygraph equipment
- Federal courts have ruled it unconstitutional
Correct answer: Its confrontational approach can produce false confessions, especially from vulnerable populations
Research has shown that the Reid Technique's high-pressure, accusatory approach can produce false confessions, particularly from juveniles, individuals with intellectual disabilities, or those who are psychologically vulnerable.
Question 5: In an OIG investigation, which document should an investigator prepare immediately following each interview?
- A formal indictment memo
- A memorandum of interview (MOI) or summary report capturing key statements (Correct answer)
- A press release summarizing the subject's responses
- A request for polygraph examination
Correct answer: A memorandum of interview (MOI) or summary report capturing key statements
A memorandum of interview (MOI) documents the substance of what was said during an interview while memories are fresh, and becomes a key part of the investigative file and potential evidence.
Question 6: An investigator notices that a subject consistently averts eye contact and pauses before answering specific financial questions but not others. The investigator should:
- Immediately conclude the subject is lying about finances
- Use this behavioral change as a potential indicator warranting further inquiry, not as definitive proof of deception (Correct answer)
- Terminate the interview and refer for prosecution
- Administer a polygraph test on the spot
Correct answer: Use this behavioral change as a potential indicator warranting further inquiry, not as definitive proof of deception
Behavioral changes during specific topics are potential indicators worth exploring further, but no single behavioral cue is definitive proof of deception — investigators must corroborate observations with additional evidence.
CIG CIG Interview & Interrogation Techniques 2
What is the purpose of a 'cognitive interview' technique?