What distinguishes open-ended questions from closed questions?

Open-ended questions are designed to elicit a wide range of responses that express the respondent's thoughts, feelings, and perspectives in their own words. This approach is especially valuable in law enforcement contexts, as it encourages victims or witnesses to share detailed accounts without being restricted to limited or predefined answers. By asking open-ended questions, an officer can gather more comprehensive information that might include nuances and specifics that closed questions would overlook.

For example, instead of simply asking "Did you see the suspect?", which requires a simple affirmation or denial, an officer might ask, "Can you describe what you saw during the incident?" This allows the individual to provide a richer, more detailed narrative about their experience, which can be crucial for investigations.

In contrast, closed questions tend to restrict the respondent's answers, often limiting them to "yes" or "no" formats, specific responses, or predetermined choices. Therefore, the ability of open-ended questions to evoke unlimited responses is what fundamentally distinguishes them from closed questions, making them a critical tool in gathering qualitative information in law enforcement.