Improve Investigative Interviews with Socratic Questioning

Socratic questioning is one tool that will help you sharpen your investigative interviewing skills. It is a way to probe deeper into issues that help investigators move beyond surface-level answers by encouraging the interviewee to think critically. Let’s dive in!

What Is Socratic Questioning?

Named after the Greek philosopher Socrates, this method goes beyond the usual open or closed questions. Instead of focusing solely on what happened, Socratic questioning digs into how people think about what happened. It’s less about finding immediate answers and more about challenging assumptions, exploring perspectives, and discovering hidden insights.

Why Use Socratic Questioning in Investigations?

Effective investigations rely on understanding not just the sequence of events but also the context, mindset, and motivations behind them. Socratic questioning encourages:

• Deeper thinking by all parties involved
• Clarification of vague responses
• Re-evaluation of initial assumptions
• Broader perspectives, especially when dealing with conflicting accounts
• More accurate root cause identification

Practical Examples of Socratic Questions

Here are some categories and examples of Socratic-style questions that can elevate your investigative interviews:

Clarification

Clarification is vital to investigative interviews because it ensures that the information collected is accurate, complete, and clearly understood.

• “Can you explain what you mean by that?”
• “Could you walk me through that step-by-step?”

Probing Assumptions

Probing assumptions in an incident investigation interview is critical because assumptions often mask the truth, distort facts, and hide important contributing factors.

• “What led you to believe that?”
• “Is that something you’ve seen happen before?”

Evidence and Reasoning

Evidence and reasoning are central to investigative interviews because they form the foundation for credible findings and sound decision-making.

• “What information do you have to support that?”
• “Can you give me a specific example?”

Exploring Perspectives

Exploring an interviewee’s perspective in an investigative interview is crucial, not just as a courtesy, but as a strategic technique for uncovering meaningful, accurate, and actionable information.

• “How do you think others involved would describe this situation?”
• “Do you think someone might view this differently?”

Implications and Consequences

Asking about implications and consequences in an investigative interview is a smart move because it goes beyond just understanding what happened to understanding why it matters and how it impacts the bigger picture.

• “What could be the result if nothing changes?”
• “How does this affect other teams or departments?”

Meta-Questions (Questions about Questions)

If an interviewee is skeptical or defensive, explaining the purpose behind a question builds credibility. Asking meta-questions aloud models openness and makes the process feel more like a conversation than an interrogation.

• “Why is this question important?”
• “Is there a better way I could ask this?”

Not Just for Interviews

While Socratic questioning is a powerful interview tool, it’s also useful for self-reflection. Investigators can challenge their thinking to avoid bias, refine investigative plans, and ensure objectivity. For example:

• “Why do I believe this witness is credible?”
• “Am I interpreting this evidence through a personal lens?”

Not a Replacement but an Enhancement

Socratic questioning doesn’t replace standard investigative techniques — it enhances them. Think of it as sharpening your questioning edge. Using thoughtful, purpose-driven questions will help you collect better-quality information.

So next time you step into an investigative interview, don’t just ask questions — ask the Socratic questions!

Join my PreSummit Course: Effective Interviewing and Evidence Collection

Take your investigative skills to the next level with this hands-on training grounded in the TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis System and ASTM International Standards.

✅ Preplan and document investigations.
✅ Use SnapCharT® to guide evidence collection.
✅ Conduct interviews using the TapRooT® 12-Step Process and decode nonverbal cues.
✅ Manage a Site Visit and Collect evidence like a pro.

This course is scheduled for September 29-30, 2025, right before the Global TapRooT®  Summit, Knoxville, Tennessee, October 1 – 3, 2025.

Learn more about the Effective Interviewing and Evidence Collection Course.