CRI2601
Assignment 1
Semester 2
2025
, CRI2601
SEMESTER 2
ASSIGNMENT 1
Question 1
Briefly discuss five questions that police officials could use to get information
and provide an example of each question.
[10 Marks]
Effective interviewing is a crucial aspect of police investigations. Police officials must
employ different types of questions to extract relevant, truthful, and detailed information
from victims, witnesses, and suspects. The study guide (Section 2.4.1) outlines five
important types of questions used during investigative interviews:
1. Closed Questions
Closed questions are used to obtain specific, concise information that usually results in
a short, definitive response such as “yes” or “no.” These questions are particularly
useful for confirming facts and establishing basic details, such as times, dates, or
identities.
Example: “Did you see the suspect enter the building?”
This question confirms whether or not the person witnessed a specific event.
2. Open-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions invite a more detailed and descriptive response. These
questions encourage the interviewee to explain events in their own words, allowing the
police officer to gather comprehensive narratives and detect any inconsistencies.
Example: “Can you describe what you saw at the crime scene?”
Such a question prompts the witness to provide a full account, which may include
important observations not previously considered.
3. Leading Questions
Leading questions suggest a particular answer or influence the direction of the
response. While they can be useful in confirming information, they must be used
Assignment 1
Semester 2
2025
, CRI2601
SEMESTER 2
ASSIGNMENT 1
Question 1
Briefly discuss five questions that police officials could use to get information
and provide an example of each question.
[10 Marks]
Effective interviewing is a crucial aspect of police investigations. Police officials must
employ different types of questions to extract relevant, truthful, and detailed information
from victims, witnesses, and suspects. The study guide (Section 2.4.1) outlines five
important types of questions used during investigative interviews:
1. Closed Questions
Closed questions are used to obtain specific, concise information that usually results in
a short, definitive response such as “yes” or “no.” These questions are particularly
useful for confirming facts and establishing basic details, such as times, dates, or
identities.
Example: “Did you see the suspect enter the building?”
This question confirms whether or not the person witnessed a specific event.
2. Open-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions invite a more detailed and descriptive response. These
questions encourage the interviewee to explain events in their own words, allowing the
police officer to gather comprehensive narratives and detect any inconsistencies.
Example: “Can you describe what you saw at the crime scene?”
Such a question prompts the witness to provide a full account, which may include
important observations not previously considered.
3. Leading Questions
Leading questions suggest a particular answer or influence the direction of the
response. While they can be useful in confirming information, they must be used
