Deck 9: Effective Interviewing and Interrogation

Question 1

During the body of the interview, the interviewer needs to demonstrate patience, and should be sure to interrupt the interviewee.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In a fraud examination, evidence is usually gathered in a manner that moves from the specific to the general.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Only after suspected coconspirators have been interviewed is the person suspected of committing the fraud confronted.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Norming or calibrating is the process of observing behavior before critical questions are asked, as opposed to doing so during questioning.

Question 5

As a general rule, private employers conducting an internal investigation are required to give Miranda warnings.

Question 6

A liar often will use emotionally provocative terms such as "steal," "lie," and "crime."

Question 7

The general law of confessions requires that they be completely voluntary.

Question 8

Rationalizations provide a morally unjustifiable reason for the target's actions.

Question 9

As the fraud examiner or forensic accountant moves away from witnesses and toward those with higher levels of culpability, the interviews are likely to be friendly and less adversarial.

Question 10

At a minimum, during the close of an interview, the interviewer will review and summarize important aspects of the interview, clarifying when necessary and asking any final questions about the interviewee's responses.

Question 11

An attorney will often request that the fraud professional or forensic accountant attend the deposition of key witnesses who have knowledge of, or should have knowledge of, the financial transactions and how they are reflected in the books and records.

Question 12

When asked sensitive or emotive questions, the dishonest person typically will change his or her posture completely-as if moving away from you.

Question 13

Assessment questions should proceed logically from the most to the least sensitive.

Question 14

Taking extensive notes does not distract interviewers from their main responsibility to watch and listen.

Question 15

Interrogations, or admission-seeking interviews, are reserved for obtaining confessions from those believed to be culpable for the acts under examination.

Question 16

Dishonest people typically have tolerant attitudes toward illegal or unethical conduct.

Question 17

With fraudulent representations such as materially misstated financial statements and improper tax returns, the investigator starts with the suspected perpetrator.

Question 18

During the admission-seeking interview, you should not make a direct accusation of the subject.

Question 19

Introductory questions serve four primary purposes: providing an introduction, establishing a rapport, between you and the subject, establishing the theme of the interview, and observing the subject's reactions.

Question 20

During the introduction stage, the interviewer also maintains a professional tone but importantly solicits the cooperation of the witness, subject, or target

Question 21

Which step does NOT improve the quality of the interview during the information-gathering phase?

A) Ask multiple questions at a time
B) Begin by asking questions that are not likely to cause the respondent to become defensive or hostile
C) Give the person an opportunity to qualify his or her answers
D) Ask straightforward and frank questions

Question 22

General rules for conducting an introductory interview for potential suspects include all EXCEPT:

A) Conduct the interview under conditions of privacy
B) Do not interview more than two people at a time
C) Ask non-sensitive questions
D) Get a commitment for assistance

Question 23

Considerations for conducting good interviews include all EXCEPT:

A) Keeping questions reasonably short
B) Discouraging the interviewee from getting off subject
C) Maintaining control of the interview
D) Allowing the interviewee to ramble

Question 24

________ or ________ is the process of observing behavior before critical questions are asked, as opposed to doing so during questioning.

A) Gauging, detecting
B) Norming, calibrating
C) Surveying, discovering
D) Spying, viewing

Question 25

________ questions are those worded in a way that makes it difficult to answer "yes" or "no."

A) Accusatory
B) Closed
C) Open
D) Affirmative

Question 26

In order to begin in information phase of the interview, you must first make a transition out of the introductory phase. Which method is NOT commonly used during this phase?

A) Begin with background questions
B) Observe verbal and nonverbal behavior
C) Ask leading closed questions
D) Approach sensitive questions carefully

Question 27

Admission seeking questions are posed in a precise order designed to:

A) Clear an innocent person
B) Encourage the culpable person to confess
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above

Question 28

Suggested approaches for interviewing witnesses include all EXCEPT:

A) Approach the interview from an adversarial position
B) Start with background information
C) Determine whether the witness is in possession of any pertinent documents
D) Document the witness' connection to suspects, subjects, or targets of the investigation.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a typical closing question in an interview?

A) "You knew Ms. Jones had some financial problems, is that right?"
B) "If you were trying to resolve this issue, what would you do?"
C) "Ms. Collins, this is just a standard question. Do you feel that I have treated you fairly in this interview?"
D) "What is your position in the company?"

Question 30

________ questions contain the answer as a part of the question.

A) Open
B) Closed
C) Affirmative
D) Leading

Question 31

You will encounter some people who choose to be difficulty during an interview. Which step should NOT be taken in that situation?

A) Try to reason with an unreceptive person
B) In some situations, change tactics to reduce hostility
C) There should be two interviewers involved in potentially volatile situations
D) You should not react to anger with hostility

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a step in the admission-seeking interview interrogation?

A) Accuse the subject of committing the offense
B) Observe-reaction
C) Assure confidentiality to the suspect
D) Interrupt denials

Question 33

Which of the following questions is NOT appropriate for an interviewer to ask?

A) Is there anything that I have forgotten to ask?
B) Is there anything else you would like to add for the record?
C) Is there anyone else I should speak with about the issues we have covered?
D) Do you think embezzling is a crime?

Question 34

General rules for conduction an introductory interview for potential suspects include all EXCEPT:

A) Discussing the source of the allegations
B) Seeking continuous agreement
C) Ask non-sensitive questions
D) Conduct the interview under conditions of privacy

Question 35

Provide a chronological sequence for the introductory phase in interviewing a fraud suspect using the following stages.
1) Establish the interview theme
2) Observe reactions
3) Establish rapport
4) Provide the introduction

A) 4, 3, 1, 2
B) 4, 2, 3, 1
C) 1, 2, 3, 4
D) 2, 3, 4, 1

Question 36

________ questions are those that limit the possible responses by requiring a precise answer - usually "yes" or "no."

A) Open
B) Closed
C) Affirmative
D) Leading

Question 37

Which step does NOT improve the quality of the interview during the information-gathering phase?

A) Repeat or rephrase questions, if necessary, to get at the faces
B) Give the person an opportunity to qualify his or her answers
C) Try to help the respondent remember, and suggest answers
D) Separate facts from inferences

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a step in the admission-seeking interview interrogation?

A) Establish rationalization
B) Defuse alibis
C) Obtain the benchmark admission
D) Offer clemency

Question 39

As a general rule, private employers conducting an internal investigation are not required to give:

A) Miranda warnings
B) Evidence to defense counsel
C) Equal opportunity to all classes of employees
D) Pay for all hours worked

Question 40

All of the following are several benefits of effective interviewing and interrogation skills, EXCEPT:

A) Reduced investigation time
B) Increased probability of investigative success
C) Increased time of a jury trial
D) The elimination of innocent subjects or targets

Question 41

When pushed into a corner, a subject or witness will often react to the stress created by deception. Some signs of stress that may accompany deception include all EXCEPT:

A) Evasive answers to questions
B) An unwillingness to suspect anyone of committing the act under examination
C) Maintaining eye contact with the interviewer
D) Hostility toward the interviewer

Question 42

Why are interviews in fraudulent financial statements and tax returns handled differently than interviews in other fraud examinations?

Question 43

What are some suggested approaches for conducting interviews?

Question 44

What is the primary purpose of admission-seeking questions?

Question 45

What are the benefits of strong interviewing and interrogation skills?

Question 46

What are some nonverbal clues to deception?

Question 47

Why shouldn't an interviewer use closed or leading questions during the information-gathering phase of the interview?

Question 48

Provide three of Joe Well's ten commandments for effective interviewing.

Question 49

A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in three years. Which room is safest for him?

Question 50

Verbal cues to deception include all EXCEPT:

A) Changes to Speech Patterns
B) Immediate answer to interviewer's questions
C) Making excuses
D) Answering with a question

Question 51

What are some of the reasons that persons often fail to identify lies?

Question 52

Why is it advisable to obtain a written confession from the subject of an investigation?

Question 53

What are some of the verbal clues to deception?

Question 54

Non-verbal cues for deception include all EXCEPT:

A) Calmness
B) Hands over the mouth
C) Crossing the arms
D) Fleeing positions

Question 55

Why are introductory questions so important to an interview's success?

Question 56

What are the five types of interview and interrogation questions?