1. Briefly discuss five questions that police officials could use to get information and provide an
example of each question.
Closed Questions:
These focus on obtaining specific information and usually require a short answer, typically "yes" or
"no," or a choice between alternatives. Example: "Was the person shot or stabbed?" 1
Open Questions:
These encourage the respondent to provide detailed, unrestricted answers, often useful when police
lack specific details. Example: "Tell me more about your relationship with the deceased." 1
Probing Questions:
These are used to elicit more detailed information, typically following an open question or based on
the respondent's prior answer. Example: "Who killed him/her?" 1
Leading Questions:
These imply or suggest a particular answer, typically used when the officer already has some
information and seeks confirmation. Example: "Do you still smoke dagga?" 1
Multiple Questions:
These involve asking several questions at once, although this technique can sometimes confuse the
respondent or lead to incomplete answers. Example: "Did you make the accident while driving under
the influence of liquor after you had stabbed a person at the bottle store?" 1
These types of questions help police officials gather comprehensive information, ensuring effective
crime investigation and prevention.
1: (CRI2601, Study Guide, p. 9)