NC BLET INTERVIEW AND
INTERROGATION STUDY GUIDE 2026
DETAILED QUESTIONS TOP GRADE
⩥ Why does rapport matter? Answer: It is the "foundation" of the entire
interview. People (victims, witnesses, and suspects) give more
information to officers who build rapport.
⩥ When does rapport start? Answer: Immediately! You should build
rapport from the first second and keep it going through the whole
interview.
⩥ What does rapport do for the interviewee? Answer: It helps them feel
safe and lowers their stress and anxiety.
⩥ Methods for Building Rapport: Answer: 1. Personalized Greeting
2. Active Listening
3. Open-Ended Questions
4. Explain the Process
5. Find Common Ground
6. Remove Barriers
7. Manage Proxemics
8. Eliminate Distractions
,9. Self-Awareness
⩥ How should you start every interview to build rapport? Answer: With
a personalized greeting that includes your name and a "thank you" for
their time.
⩥ What does it mean to "show empathy" during rapport building?
Answer: It means sincerely showing you understand their physical or
emotional needs (e.g., offering water, a restroom break, or a moment to
relax).
⩥ How can you use "the process" to lower an interviewee's stress?
Answer: Explain what is going to happen upfront so there are no
surprises (e.g., "I'll be taking notes" or "It will only take 10 minutes").
⩥ What physical changes can you make to improve rapport? Answer:
Remove barriers like desks or patrol cars and turn off distractions like
TVs or radios.
⩥ Strategies for Showing Respect: Answer: 1. Show Empathy
2. Be Courteous
3. Avoid Sarcasm
4. Maintain Neutrality
5. Use Appropriate Language
, 6. Follow through
7. Dress Appropriately
8. Be Prepared
⩥ What is a "Cognitive Interview"? Answer: A technique used with
cooperative people (victims, witnesses, or suspects) to help them
recreate the event in their minds to remember more details.
⩥ What are two (2) main benefits of a cognitive interview? Answer: 1.
Increases Memory: Recreating how they felt and what they saw helps
them recall more details.
2. Reliability: It allows the person to speak without the officer
"contaminating" the story with leading questions.
⩥ What is Phase 1 of a Cognitive Interview? Answer: Introduction.
The officer sets the tone, builds rapport, and explains the process to
lower the person's anxiety.
⩥ What is Phase 2 of a Cognitive Interview? Answer: Open-Ended
Narration.
The officer lets the person tell their story from start to finish without
interrupting.
INTERROGATION STUDY GUIDE 2026
DETAILED QUESTIONS TOP GRADE
⩥ Why does rapport matter? Answer: It is the "foundation" of the entire
interview. People (victims, witnesses, and suspects) give more
information to officers who build rapport.
⩥ When does rapport start? Answer: Immediately! You should build
rapport from the first second and keep it going through the whole
interview.
⩥ What does rapport do for the interviewee? Answer: It helps them feel
safe and lowers their stress and anxiety.
⩥ Methods for Building Rapport: Answer: 1. Personalized Greeting
2. Active Listening
3. Open-Ended Questions
4. Explain the Process
5. Find Common Ground
6. Remove Barriers
7. Manage Proxemics
8. Eliminate Distractions
,9. Self-Awareness
⩥ How should you start every interview to build rapport? Answer: With
a personalized greeting that includes your name and a "thank you" for
their time.
⩥ What does it mean to "show empathy" during rapport building?
Answer: It means sincerely showing you understand their physical or
emotional needs (e.g., offering water, a restroom break, or a moment to
relax).
⩥ How can you use "the process" to lower an interviewee's stress?
Answer: Explain what is going to happen upfront so there are no
surprises (e.g., "I'll be taking notes" or "It will only take 10 minutes").
⩥ What physical changes can you make to improve rapport? Answer:
Remove barriers like desks or patrol cars and turn off distractions like
TVs or radios.
⩥ Strategies for Showing Respect: Answer: 1. Show Empathy
2. Be Courteous
3. Avoid Sarcasm
4. Maintain Neutrality
5. Use Appropriate Language
, 6. Follow through
7. Dress Appropriately
8. Be Prepared
⩥ What is a "Cognitive Interview"? Answer: A technique used with
cooperative people (victims, witnesses, or suspects) to help them
recreate the event in their minds to remember more details.
⩥ What are two (2) main benefits of a cognitive interview? Answer: 1.
Increases Memory: Recreating how they felt and what they saw helps
them recall more details.
2. Reliability: It allows the person to speak without the officer
"contaminating" the story with leading questions.
⩥ What is Phase 1 of a Cognitive Interview? Answer: Introduction.
The officer sets the tone, builds rapport, and explains the process to
lower the person's anxiety.
⩥ What is Phase 2 of a Cognitive Interview? Answer: Open-Ended
Narration.
The officer lets the person tell their story from start to finish without
interrupting.
