ACFE Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Investigations Practice Exam

Using intimidation to extract information is inappropriate in interviewing a suspect because it can lead to unreliable testimonies and may violate ethical guidelines and legal standards. Intimidation can create a hostile atmosphere that may cause the individual to provide false or misleading information out of fear, rather than truthfully responding based on their actual knowledge of the situation. This not only undermines the integrity of the interview process but can also lead to legal repercussions for the investigator or organization.

In contrast, employing empathy to understand a suspect's situation can foster rapport and may lead to more truthful and cooperative responses. Conducting a thorough background check ensures that the interviewer has context about the individual, which can inform the questioning process. Asking open-ended questions encourages suspects to provide more detailed answers and helps elicit information that they might not reveal with closed, direct questions. All these techniques promote a more ethical and effective investigative approach.