Which of the following best describes an appropriate approach to interviewing a witness to avoid leading questions?

• A. Ask only yes-or-no questions.
• B. Use open-ended questions and follow-up clarifying questions; avoid suggestions.
• C. Suggest potential details to help recall.
• D. Record only what the witness directly stated, ignoring context.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to gather an accurate account without guiding the witness. Using open-ended questions invites the witness to describe what happened in their own words, which helps capture details you might not anticipate. Following up with clarifying questions lets you fill in gaps and confirm specifics without steering the story toward a particular detail. Importantly, avoiding suggestions prevents memory contamination—if you plant ideas or details, the witness may incorporate them into their recall.

This approach yields a fuller, more reliable narrative of events, including sequence, timing, locations, and people involved, while preserving the natural memory rather than shaping it. Recording only what was said without noting surrounding context can obscure how factors like environment or stress influenced memory, which is crucial for later assessment and corroboration.

Choices that rely on yes-or-no questions limit the witness’s recall and can miss important nuances. Suggesting potential details can implant ideas and bias memory, and focusing solely on direct statements without context can weaken understanding of credibility.