different evidential value in helping to prove (or disprove) that the suspect is guilty of the offence. One approach is to start with the lesser-value points and proceed to those that are most probative. A brief note on building rapport You need to be aware of how to frame your questions as this will have a direct and significant impact on the nature of the responses that you receive. As a general rule your questioning should be clear and concise, as you do not want to confuse the suspect with jargon or by raising a number of distinct and separate points at the same time. There are several different types of questioning: open-ended; closed; forced-choice; multiple; leading. ► Open-ended questions are those that allow the suspect to reply with longer, more detailed responses and lack direction from the interviewer. These can be questions such as “What happened?” or questions that begin by asking the suspect to “tell”, “explain” or “describe” some event or situation. ► Closed questions require more definite and distinct answers. Examples include, “What time was that?”, “Who else was present?”, “What is his address?” Such questions allow more control over what the suspect says and are useful where the suspect has left out information that you need. However, they can limit the account given. ► Forced-choice questions greatly restrict the possible answers to those that you have determined. The question may be “Was it a rifle or a handgun?” when the weapon may have been a shotgun. The suspect may simply pick one of the choices offered in order to please the interviewer or just move the questioning on. You should avoid these as they do not suggest an open mind, and because answers may lie outside those conceived of by the interviewer. Do not limit the interview in this way. ► Multiple questions are those where the interviewer asks more than one question at the same time. This can easily confuse an interviewee and make the answers given equally confusing to the interviewer. An example would be to ask,“When did he say that and what did he do and who else was present?” ► Leading questions are those that induce a particular reply and may be judged to have manipulated the interviewee. An example would be to ask, “You wanted to injure him, didn’t you?”They can lead the suspect to the point where they agree with what is being said even where they are uncertain or have no clear memory. Page 26 ► A brief introduction to investigative interviewing