CRI2601
Assignment 01
Semester 2
Due 2025
, CRI2601
Assignment 1
Semester 2 Due 2025
Question 1:
Police interviews and interrogations are critical components of investigative work, and
the types of questions posed directly influence the quality and reliability of the
information collected. To apply question types effectively, officers must understand the
purpose, strength, and risk associated with each.
Five Questions for Police Officials to Gather Information
1. Open-Ended Questions
Example: "Can you describe what you saw at the scene of the crime?"
Open-ended questions are essential when an officer seeks a narrative account,
especially in early stages of an investigation. They allow the interviewee to recall and
describe events in their own words, which can uncover critical, unanticipated details.
This is particularly important when little is known about the incident or when new leads
are needed.
Application: This type of question is most useful when trying to build a timeline or
reconstruct a scene from a witness’s perspective. However, its open structure can lead
to tangential or unfocused responses, which require the officer to use follow-up
questions effectively. Therefore, its success relies on the interviewer’s listening skills
and ability to steer the conversation without interrupting its natural flow. This shows how
open-ended questioning applies best when depth is needed, but also illustrates the risk
of losing control of the conversation if not managed correctly.
Assignment 01
Semester 2
Due 2025
, CRI2601
Assignment 1
Semester 2 Due 2025
Question 1:
Police interviews and interrogations are critical components of investigative work, and
the types of questions posed directly influence the quality and reliability of the
information collected. To apply question types effectively, officers must understand the
purpose, strength, and risk associated with each.
Five Questions for Police Officials to Gather Information
1. Open-Ended Questions
Example: "Can you describe what you saw at the scene of the crime?"
Open-ended questions are essential when an officer seeks a narrative account,
especially in early stages of an investigation. They allow the interviewee to recall and
describe events in their own words, which can uncover critical, unanticipated details.
This is particularly important when little is known about the incident or when new leads
are needed.
Application: This type of question is most useful when trying to build a timeline or
reconstruct a scene from a witness’s perspective. However, its open structure can lead
to tangential or unfocused responses, which require the officer to use follow-up
questions effectively. Therefore, its success relies on the interviewer’s listening skills
and ability to steer the conversation without interrupting its natural flow. This shows how
open-ended questioning applies best when depth is needed, but also illustrates the risk
of losing control of the conversation if not managed correctly.
