Effective Interviewing Techniques

Questions and Answers

What is the recommended gap between questions during an interview?

4 to 5 seconds (correct)

8 to 10 seconds

6 to 7 seconds

2 to 3 seconds

What effect does a silence of five seconds have on interviewee responses?

Has no significant effect

Increases response by up to 25% (correct)

Decreases response rate

Increases confusion

Why should an interviewer not overuse silence?

It makes the interviewee feel too relaxed

It can reduce the impact of silence (correct)

It encourages them to speak less

It allows too much time for the interviewee to prepare

Which of the following best describes 'guggles' in interviewing?

Nonverbal signals and short comments Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using silence during an interview?

To pressure the interviewee to respond Signup and view all the answers

What reaction can silence elicit from an interviewer at critical moments?

Recovery of poise Signup and view all the answers

What might be a negative perception of silence by the interviewee?

It can be seen as a threat Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a form of minimal encouragement?

Nodding the head Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with leading questions during an interview?

They can mislead or confuse the interviewee. Signup and view all the answers

Why should counterproductive questions be avoided in interviews?

They can discourage the interviewee from participating. Signup and view all the answers

How may leading questions affect the accuracy of witness statements?

They prevent witnesses from recalling accurate details. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome when an interviewer uses a leading question?

The witness may recall non-existent details. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is an example of a counterproductive question?

Did you see the car speeding? Signup and view all the answers

Leading questions may inadvertently communicate what to the interviewee?

A specific type of response is expected. Signup and view all the answers

What effect can counterproductive questions have on an interview environment?

They can introduce negativity into the interview. Signup and view all the answers

In an investigative interview, what is the best practice to ensure accurate information from witnesses?

Encourage open-ended and neutral questions. Signup and view all the answers

In what situation is it most likely necessary to gather the 'During' section of a witness statement first?

When the incident involves serious crime Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for not conducting witness interviews in chronological order?

Victim or witness may need immediate medical attention Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the witness interview process occurs first during serious crime investigations?

During the incident Signup and view all the answers

What option might prompt immediate identification or description of a suspect?

The suspect is unknown Signup and view all the answers

How is a witness interview generally structured in serious crime investigations?

In three distinct parts Signup and view all the answers

What might be a contributing factor to conducting interviews in a non-chronological manner?

The nature and severity of the crime Signup and view all the answers

Why might it be important to trace a suspect immediately?

For public safety Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in deciding how to structure a witness interview in serious crimes?

The urgency of information required Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial approach an interviewer should take when seeking information on a topic?

Begin with an open question Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a clarification probe?

To clarify confusing or ambiguous responses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an essential element to probe during an interview?

Modus Operandi Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a paraphrase in an interview?

So, your wife’s illness has prevented you from keeping the books updated. Signup and view all the answers

When discussing the topic of clothing, which characteristic should be specifically noted?

Style, Colour, Make, Size Signup and view all the answers

What aspect should an interviewer investigate regarding a suspect's movement?

Witness/Suspect routes taken Signup and view all the answers

Why might an interviewer use questions like 'Aye blue jeans, those stone washed ones'?

To gain clarification on previous statements Signup and view all the answers

Which of these topics is critical for understanding the digital footprint of an individual involved in an incident?

Social Media accounts and usernames Signup and view all the answers

In the context of witness interviews, what is the function of a clarification probe?

To ensure the responses align with the interview's objectives Signup and view all the answers

What is one topic concerning forensic evidence that should be explored during an interview?

Cross Contamination Signup and view all the answers

What should an interviewer do after paraphrasing a statement?

Seek confirmation from the interviewee about the paraphrase Signup and view all the answers

What type of questions should be used after starting with an open question?

Direct questions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'interviewee'?

The individual being questioned Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided when forming questions during a witness interview?

Framing questions that assume information Signup and view all the answers

Which topic would NOT typically be part of the interviewing process?

Fashion choices of the suspect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies an effective interview strategy?

Restating the interviewee's words to confirm understanding Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Interview Techniques: Silence and Encouragement

Reaction time latency refers to the pause between a speaker finishing their point and the next speaker starting.
Inexperienced interviewers often have short latency, showing an aversion to silence.
Skilled interviewers utilize silence effectively, allowing gaps of four to five seconds to enhance responses.
A five-second silence can increase interviewee responses by up to 25%.
Silence creates pressure on the interviewee to elaborate and helps the interviewer regain composure.

Minimal Encouragement Strategies

Minimal encouragement consists of nonverbal cues and brief phrases (e.g., "Uh huh," "Really," head nods) that prompt the interviewee to expand on their responses.
Employing nonverbal signals and expectant facial expressions encourages interviewee participation.

Clarification Probes

Clarification probes help address vague or unclear responses from interviewees.
Paraphrasing is a primary method, allowing interviewees to confirm or correct the interviewer’s understanding.
Examples include asking for elaboration or expressing confusion to gain clarity (“Could you explain a little more?”).

Counterproductive Questions to Avoid

Some questions can hinder the interview process, creating negativity or confusion.
Leading questions push the interviewee toward a specific response and should be avoided to ensure unbiased responses.
Fetching expected answers can mislead the witness, who may unintentionally conform to the interviewer’s suggestions.

Key Topics for Probing

Focusing on specific subjects helps extract detailed and relevant information:
- Timeline: Identify suitable time frames.
- Essential Elements: Understand the Modus Operandi of the crime.
- Description: Gather details about victims, witnesses, or suspects.
- Identification: Assess prior knowledge regarding individuals involved.
- Movements: Trace routes taken by relevant parties.
- Clothing: Inquire about styles, colors, or sizes.
- Property: Discuss damaged or stolen items and their value.
- Telecoms: Collect information on mobile details (number, type).
- Transport: Clarify modes of transport used.
- Injuries: Document medical attention received by involved parties.
- Forensics: Gather details on potential evidence (fingerprints, blood).
- Social Media: Identify accounts and usernames associated with the case.

Structured Interviewing for Serious Crimes

Interviews for serious crimes may require prioritizing the “During” section of the statement initially.
The interview process may be broken into three parts:
- Focus on the incident itself.
- Discuss circumstances before the incident.
- Review actions taken after the incident.
This structured approach is crucial when immediate identification or public safety is at stake.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the art of silence in interviews. It explains how experienced interviewers utilize reaction time latency to create impactful pauses between questions. Understanding this technique can greatly improve interaction quality and elicit more thoughtful responses.