Open-ended questioning

This guideline recommends open-ended questioning, gives examples of open- and closed-ended quesions and provides suggestions on how to get information using open-ended questioning. It includes the following topics:

		Open-ended questions
		Closed-ended questions
		How to get information

Open-ended questions

1. Use open-ended questions when interviewing witnesses or victims.
2. Open-ended questions:
   • make no suggestions
   • invite witnesses or victims to talk in their own words
   • act as memory prompts
   • get people talking
   • encourage full answers
   • help to get accurate information

Example: How would you describe the suspect?

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Closed-ended questions

1. Avoid closed-ended questions when interviewing witnesses or victims. Courts may consider them as leading questions.
2. Closed-ended questions:
   • suggest an idea to the witness or victim
   • lead the witness or victim to repeat what you said
   • take one word to answer

Example: Does the suspect have a beard?

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How to get information (Open-ended questioning)

1. Use open-ended questions.
2. Let the witness or victim talk 80% of the time.
3. Use their words when you ask subsequent questions.
4. When conversation goes off topic:
   • wait for a break
   • bring it back to the topic
   • use another open-ended question
5. Ask witnesses or victims to write their own statements.
6. If they won't write a statement, record their responses word-for-word.
7. Do not interrupt a statement.
8. Ask questions to confirm points later.

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