Chapter 7 - Question Formulation: Irrelevant, Relevant, and Comparison Questions

Abstract

Four types of questions are used in the Forensic Assessment Interview (FAINT) employed by law enforcement personnel to interrogate suspects: irrelevant, relevant, comparison, and projective questions. The projective questions are the more complex ones and they are discussed in detail in the chapter that follows this one. This chapter discusses the first three categories of questions in detail, with copious examples. Irrelevant questions are generally background questions that have nothing to do with the investigation and thus offer no threat to innocent or guilty parties being questioned. These questions establish the authority of the interviewer, allow for assessment of the suspect’s heightened situational emotional state, establish the building of rapport, and assist in preventing resistance by structure (answering questions with questions). Relevant questions deal with the matter being investigated. They may address direct or secondary involvement. These questions should force the guilty to lie and allow the innocent to tell the truth. The third question category, comparison questions, are designed to cause a dilemma for the innocent suspect, as they deal with deviant acts that almost everyone has performed at some time in their lives. The innocent party, although prepared to answer all questions truthfully about a crime he/she did not commit, is now placed into conflict about how to answer these questions. As described by the author, the subject’s psychological set enables the interviewer to make determinations of truth or deception while observing the subject being questioned.