Which sequence is recommended when interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects?

Which sequence is recommended when interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects?

• A. Victims, then Witnesses, then Suspects
• B. Victims, then Suspects, then Witnesses
• C. Witnesses, then Victims, then Suspects
• D. Suspects, then Victims, then Witnesses

Answer: (A)

Starting with the people most closely affected by the event and then moving outward helps gather reliable information and keeps memory fresh. Interviewing victims first captures the most direct account of what happened from those who experienced it, which provides a solid timeline and key details. Next, talking to witnesses allows you to corroborate and augment that account with additional perspectives while the event is still recent, helping to fill in gaps without letting a suspect’s description shape the early narrative. Finally, interviewing suspects last prevents them from influencing how others remember or describe the incident and gives you material to compare against the earlier statements for consistency. This order supports accurate recall, minimizes contamination of memories, and makes it easier to assess credibility as the investigation develops.

Starting with the people most closely affected by the event and then moving outward helps gather reliable information and keeps memory fresh. Interviewing victims first captures the most direct account of what happened from those who experienced it, which provides a solid timeline and key details. Next, talking to witnesses allows you to corroborate and augment that account with additional perspectives while the event is still recent, helping to fill in gaps without letting a suspect’s description shape the early narrative. Finally, interviewing suspects last prevents them from influencing how others remember or describe the incident and gives you material to compare against the earlier statements for consistency. This order supports accurate recall, minimizes contamination of memories, and makes it easier to assess credibility as the investigation develops.