The Difference Between Asking Questions and Gathering Information
Getting useful information during an investigative interview is harder than most people think. Interviews are a critical part of evidence collection, and small mistakes in how the conversation is handled can significantly hurt investigations and affect the quality of information collected.
Here are three of the worst interviewing practices in root cause analysis investigations:
1. Asking too many closed-ended questions.
Questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” usually produce limited information. They can also unintentionally lead the interviewee toward a particular answer.
Open-ended questions encourage people to retrieve information from memory in their own words and often reveal details investigators didn’t know to ask about. That doesn’t mean closed-ended questions should never be used. They are useful for verifying details or clarifying information after the interviewee has finished describing events.
2. Failing to create a respectful environment.
People notice when an investigator seems distracted, impatient, or uninterested. Looking at a phone, checking email, allowing interruptions, or displaying frustrated body language immediately change the tone of the conversation.
When interviewees feel rushed or dismissed, they tend to shorten answers and share less information.
Good interviews require attention, patience, and presence. Set aside uninterrupted time, use a calm tone, and allow the interviewee space to think and respond. Small things matter.
3. Interrupting the Interviewee.
Interrupting is one of the fastest ways to reduce the quality of information collected.
When people recall events, interruptions can break concentration and disrupt their train of thought. Important details are easily lost.
Interrupting also sends another message: “I already know what happened.”
But investigators should avoid assuming they understand the event too early in the process. The goal is to understand what happened, not confirm an early conclusion.
Strong investigative interviews are less about controlling the conversation and more about creating conditions where accurate information can surface.
What interviewing practices have helped you collect better information during investigations?
If you want to improve your investigative interviewing and evidence collection skills, explore our TapRooT® Evidence Collection and Investigative Interviewing Techniques course on Pathways. The course covers practical tools and techniques to help investigators collect better information, improve interviews, and build stronger investigations.
Learn more here: TapRooT® Evidence Collection and Investigative Interviewing Techniques Course
