Chapter 9
Critical Thinking Q&A
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 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
Review Questions & Answers
9-1. What are the benefits of strong interviewing and interrogation skills?
Answer: There are several benefits of strong interviewing and interrogation skills
including:
9-2. Why are interviews in fraudulent financial statements and tax returns handled differently
than interviews in other fraud examinations?
Answer: By arranging interviews for fraud examinations in order of probable culpability
(from least to most), the fraud examiner is in a position to have as much information as
9-3. What are some suggested approaches for conducting interviews?
Answer: Some suggested approaches for interviewing witnesses are as follows:
• Start with background information on the witness. This will have a calming effect on the
9-4. What are the five types of interview and interrogation questions?
Answer: There are five general types of interview and interrogation questions:
introductory, informational, assessment, closing, and admission-seeking.
9-5. Why are introductory questions so important to an interview’s success?
Answer: The introduction establishes the tone of the interview. If the witness feels
9-6. Why shouldn’t an interviewer use closed or leading questions during the information–
gathering phase of the interview?
Answer: Closed or leading questions inhibit the flow of information from the witness. An
9-7. What is the primary purpose of admission-seeking questions?
Answer: Admission-seeking questions are designed to (1) clear an innocent person or (2)
9-8. Why is it advisable to obtain a written confession from the subject of an investigation?
Answer: It is best to obtain a written confession from the subject, if possible, because a
9-9. What are some of the verbal clues to deception?
Answer: Verbal clues include: changes in speech patterns, repetition of the question,
9-10. What are some non-verbal clues to deception?
Answer: Some non-verbal clues to deception include:
