During an admission-seeking interview, how should an interviewer respond when a suspect starts to deny an accusation?

In an admission-seeking interview, it is essential for an interviewer to maintain control of the discussion and guide it in a direction that facilitates obtaining relevant information. When a suspect begins to deny an accusation, interrupting the denial allows the interviewer to redirect the conversation effectively. This tactic can prevent the suspect from elaborating on their denial and helps keep the focus on the evidence or behaviors that suggest wrongdoing.

Moreover, intervening at this moment gives the interviewer the opportunity to reinforce the investigation’s context, highlight inconsistencies in the suspect's narrative, or introduce new evidence that may prompt a change in the suspect's response. The goal is to prompt further dialogue that could lead to an admission or more useful information, thereby progressing the investigation.

Other strategies such as reiterating the accusation may reinforce the suspect's defensiveness, potentially shutting down further communication. Ignoring the denial might allow the suspect to remain in their defensive mindset without addressing the core issues at hand. Asking irrelevant questions tends to divert from the purpose of the interview and can be detrimental to the interviewer’s goal of uncovering the truth. The approach of interrupting the denial thus proves most effective in prompting a more constructive conversation during the interview.