What outcome is most desired when a detective conducts an interview using open-ended questions?

Using open-ended questions during an interview is designed to elicit detailed and expansive responses from the interviewee. This approach allows the interviewee to provide more context and depth regarding their experiences, thoughts, and feelings related to the matter at hand. The main goal is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the situation, capturing nuanced details that may be critical for the investigation.

When detectives use open-ended questions, it encourages the interviewee to elaborate on their answers rather than just giving yes or no responses. This can lead to new insights and information that may not have been previously considered, thus enriching the overall understanding of the case. Such detailed information is essential for detectives to form hypotheses, identify leads, and gather evidence effectively.

While aspects like reducing witness anxiety can be important in an interview setting, the primary aim of utilizing open-ended questions is to encourage more comprehensive responses that go beyond surface-level information.