MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What are the initial steps to take when interviewing a suspect?

1. Establish rapport, listen, and take notes

2. Ask rapid-fire questions

3. Accuse them directly

4. Review the evidence first

The correct answer is: Establish rapport, listen, and take notes

Establishing rapport, listening, and taking notes are crucial initial steps when interviewing a suspect. Building rapport creates a more comfortable environment, which can encourage the suspect to be more open during the conversation. It establishes a level of trust and makes the interaction feel less confrontational. Listening attentively allows the interviewer to pick up on nuances in the suspect's responses, gauge their demeanor, and identify inconsistencies or behavioral cues that may warrant further exploration. Taking notes is essential for documenting the interview accurately, providing a reliable record of the conversation for later analysis or legal purposes. This is particularly important in interviews, where details can become critical in understanding the narrative or the context of the suspect's story. Other approaches, such as rapid-fire questioning, can provoke anxiety and lead to defensive responses from the suspect, while direct accusations might close off communication and provoke hostility. Reviewing evidence first can be useful, but it should ideally be done to inform the interrogation process rather than as an initial step, which could hinder the openness necessary for an effective interview.