What is a combination interview?

What is a combination interview?

• A. The most common interview type, used with victims and witnesses
• B. The formal, scripted interview
• C. An informal chat with no plan
• D. An interview conducted by two people at once

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how a combination interview works in practice. This approach is the most common way investigators talk with victims and witnesses because it blends two crucial elements: letting the person describe what happened in their own words and then filling in gaps with focused questions. It starts with open-ended prompts that encourage free recall, which helps the interviewee share a full story without being steered by leading questions. Once the general account is on the table and rapport is established, the interviewer asks targeted follow-ups to clarify details and confirm accuracy. This combination preserves the reliability of the information while keeping the interview respectful and comfortable for the person being interviewed. So it’s not the formal, scripted interview, not just an informal chat with no plan, and not an interview conducted by two people at once. Its strength lies in balancing open conversation with purposeful questions, making it the most widely used method with victims and witnesses.

The main idea here is how a combination interview works in practice. This approach is the most common way investigators talk with victims and witnesses because it blends two crucial elements: letting the person describe what happened in their own words and then filling in gaps with focused questions.

It starts with open-ended prompts that encourage free recall, which helps the interviewee share a full story without being steered by leading questions. Once the general account is on the table and rapport is established, the interviewer asks targeted follow-ups to clarify details and confirm accuracy. This combination preserves the reliability of the information while keeping the interview respectful and comfortable for the person being interviewed.

So it’s not the formal, scripted interview, not just an informal chat with no plan, and not an interview conducted by two people at once. Its strength lies in balancing open conversation with purposeful questions, making it the most widely used method with victims and witnesses.