Differentiate interrogation from interviewing in terms of custody and purpose.

Differentiate interrogation from interviewing in terms of custody and purpose.

• A. Interrogation is casual talk with witnesses; interview is formal with suspects.
• B. Interrogation is always conducted in writing; interview is oral.
• C. Interrogation is conducted only after arrest; interview is before arrest.
• D. Interrogation is questioning a suspect in custody or under coercion; interview is conversation with witnesses or non-custodial subjects.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is custody and purpose. Interrogation involves questioning someone who is in custody or whose freedom of action is restricted, with the goal of obtaining a confession or admissions of guilt. Because the person is not free to leave, investigators may use more direct or pressured questioning, and constitutional safeguards (like warnings and voluntariness rules) come into play. Interviewing, in contrast, is a non-custodial conversation used to gather information. It involves witnesses, victims, or suspects who are not in custody, and the aim is to learn facts, corroborate accounts, or identify leads rather than elicit a confession. This tends to be more neutral and less coercive. So the correct distinction captures both who is being questioned (in custody vs. non-custodial) and the purpose (to obtain a confession vs. to gather information).

The main idea here is custody and purpose. Interrogation involves questioning someone who is in custody or whose freedom of action is restricted, with the goal of obtaining a confession or admissions of guilt. Because the person is not free to leave, investigators may use more direct or pressured questioning, and constitutional safeguards (like warnings and voluntariness rules) come into play.

Interviewing, in contrast, is a non-custodial conversation used to gather information. It involves witnesses, victims, or suspects who are not in custody, and the aim is to learn facts, corroborate accounts, or identify leads rather than elicit a confession. This tends to be more neutral and less coercive.

So the correct distinction captures both who is being questioned (in custody vs. non-custodial) and the purpose (to obtain a confession vs. to gather information).