What constitutes a proper field interview on a 400-series case?

• A. Voluntary cooperation, accurate quotes, non-coercive questioning, and documentation.
• B. Coercive questioning, no quotes, and no documentation.
• C. Rely solely on memory without quotes.
• D. Interview must be conducted in a formal room.

Answer: (A)

In a proper field interview for a 400-series case, the focus is on voluntary cooperation, accurate quotes, non-coercive questioning, and thorough documentation. Voluntary cooperation ensures the person feels free to speak without pressure, which protects rights and the reliability of what’s shared. Recording exact quotes preserves the exact language used, reducing the chance of misinterpretation later and providing a solid basis for later review. Non-coercive questioning means asking questions that are respectful, open-ended, and non-leading, which helps gather genuine information rather than distorted or coerced statements. Documentation ties everything together: it notes who was involved, what was said, when and where the interview occurred, and any observations, creating a trustworthy record for accountability and future reference.

That approach contrasts with the other options: coercive questioning undermines rights and credibility; relying only on memory without quotes invites memory errors and misstatement; and requiring a formal room isn’t essential to the integrity of a field interview, whereas the key is the voluntary, accurate, non-coercive, and well-documented exchange.