FBI Interview & Interrogation Techniques 3

Question 1

The term 'minimization' in interrogation refers to the interviewer's tactic of:

Accepted Answer

Downplaying the moral seriousness or consequences of the offense to lower resistance

Answer

Minimization involves normalizing the offense or suggesting leniency to make confession psychologically easier, though this can risk false confessions if taken too far.

Question 2

A 'free narrative' phase is included at the start of cognitive interviews because:

Accepted Answer

Uninterrupted recall produces richer, more accurate memories than question-driven responses

Answer

Allowing a witness to narrate events without interruption leverages natural memory retrieval pathways and avoids contamination from leading questions.

Question 3

When an interrogator uses 'theme development,' the goal is to:

Accepted Answer

Offer a moral justification or rationalization that makes confession psychologically easier

Answer

Theme development provides the suspect with a face-saving rationale (e.g., 'anyone in that situation might have reacted the same way') to reduce the psychological barrier to admitting the act.

Question 4

Research on the polygraph indicates that a key limitation in legal proceedings is:

Accepted Answer

Polygraph results are generally inadmissible in federal court due to reliability concerns

Answer

Federal courts generally exclude polygraph results as evidence because scientific consensus does not support sufficient reliability to meet admissibility standards.

Question 5

The 'Wicklander-Zulawski' (WZ) non-confrontational interview method differs from the Reid Technique primarily in that WZ:

Accepted Answer

Avoids direct accusation at the outset and uses collaborative, rapport-based disclosure

Answer

WZ begins with a presumption-free, non-accusatory approach to reduce suspect defensiveness and elicit voluntary disclosure rather than starting with a direct accusation.

(FBI) Federal Bureau of Investigation Certified Marksman Practice Test

(FBI) Federal Bureau of Investigation Certified Marksman Practice Test

FBI Interview & Interrogation Techniques 3