NDIT Interviewing and Interrogation

Question 1

Which type of question is best for getting a witness to give a full narrative account of an event?

Accepted Answer

Open-ended question

Answer

Open-ended questions such as 'Tell me what happened' let the witness describe events in their own words. That produces more detail and less interviewer influence than closed or leading questions.

Question 2

What is the main purpose of building rapport at the start of an interview?

Accepted Answer

To create a cooperative atmosphere and establish a behavioral baseline

Answer

Rapport lowers anxiety and encourages cooperation. It also lets the investigator observe the person's normal behavior, which later changes can be compared against.

Question 3

In the United States, Miranda warnings must be given before which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Custodial interrogation of a suspect

Answer

Miranda v. Arizona requires warnings before custodial interrogation. A person must be in custody (or its functional equivalent) and be subject to questioning designed to elicit incriminating responses.

Question 4

Why is a leading question a problem during a witness interview?

Accepted Answer

It suggests the desired answer and can contaminate the witness's memory

Answer

Leading questions embed information or assumptions in the question, which can alter the witness's recollection and make the statement less reliable in court.

Question 5

Which practice is best for documenting a formal subject interview?

Accepted Answer

Record the interview, where lawful, and supplement it with notes

Answer

A contemporaneous recording, made where law and consent rules allow, along with notes gives an accurate and defensible record of what was said. It protects the investigator and the subject.

NDIT - National Detective/Investigator Test Practice Test

NDIT - National Detective/Investigator Test Practice Test

NDIT Interviewing and Interrogation