CPI Interview & Interrogation Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a cognitive interview, which technique asks the witness to mentally reinstate the environmental and personal context of the event?
- Mental reinstatement of context (Correct answer)
- Free narrative recall
- Reverse order reporting
- Change of perspective
Correct answer: Mental reinstatement of context
Mental reinstatement of context asks the witness to mentally return to the scene, recreating sensory and emotional conditions to enhance memory retrieval.
Question 2: What is 'confirmation bias' in the context of investigative interviewing?
- Seeking only information that confirms the interviewer's existing theory (Correct answer)
- Confirming the subject's alibi before proceeding
- Verifying witness statements with physical evidence
- Cross-referencing multiple witness accounts
Correct answer: Seeking only information that confirms the interviewer's existing theory
Confirmation bias occurs when an interviewer focuses on information that supports a pre-existing conclusion while ignoring contradictory evidence.
Question 3: Which type of question is considered MOST problematic because it contains the answer within the question itself?
- Leading question (Correct answer)
- Open-ended question
- Probing question
- Clarifying question
Correct answer: Leading question
Leading questions suggest the desired answer within the phrasing and can contaminate a witness's memory or elicit unreliable statements.
Question 4: In the PEACE model of investigative interviewing, what does the 'E' stand for?
- Explanation and Evaluation
- Engage and Explain (Correct answer)
- Evidence and Examination
- Establish and Explore
Correct answer: Engage and Explain
In the PEACE model, 'E' stands for Engage and Explain, where the interviewer establishes rapport and outlines the interview ground rules.
Question 5: A subject being interviewed suddenly crosses their arms, leans back, and avoids eye contact after being asked a specific question. How should an inspector BEST interpret this?
- As a possible stress response worthy of follow-up questioning (Correct answer)
- As definitive proof of deception
- As a sign the interview should be terminated
- As irrelevant behavior unrelated to the question
Correct answer: As a possible stress response worthy of follow-up questioning
Behavioral changes following a specific question may signal stress or discomfort and warrant additional probing, but alone cannot confirm deception.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a pre-interview investigation plan?
- To organize known facts and identify gaps before interviewing the subject (Correct answer)
- To script every question verbatim to ensure consistency
- To establish the subject's guilt prior to questioning
- To satisfy documentation requirements only
Correct answer: To organize known facts and identify gaps before interviewing the subject
A pre-interview plan helps investigators organize evidence, identify information gaps, and develop targeted questions to fill those gaps.
Question 7: Which Miranda warning element specifically addresses a suspect's right to have an attorney present during questioning?
- Right to counsel during interrogation (Correct answer)
- Right to remain silent
- Right to a speedy trial
- Right against self-incrimination at trial
Correct answer: Right to counsel during interrogation
The right to have an attorney present during questioning is a core Miranda warning element that suspects must be clearly informed of before custodial interrogation.
CPI Interview & Interrogation Techniques 2
During a cognitive interview, which technique asks the witness to mentally reinstate the environmental and personal context of the event?