When should an open-ended question be used during an interview?

Using open-ended questions during an interview is particularly effective for gathering information from a witness because these questions encourage the interviewee to provide their own narrative and insights without being confined to simple yes or no responses. This format helps to elicit detailed and descriptive answers, allowing the witness to share their experiences and observations in a more comprehensive manner.

Open-ended questions are designed to start conversations and often begin with words like "how," "what," or "tell me about." By using these questions, the interviewer can not only collect important facts and details about the event in question but also gain a deeper understanding of the context and emotions surrounding the situation, which can be vital in law enforcement scenarios. Such rich, qualitative data is crucial for building a thorough and accurate report of incidents.

While the other options involve valid situations that might require questioning, they tend to focus on specificity or clarity rather than the open, expansive nature that open-ended questions encourage. This distinction emphasizes the unique utility of open-ended questions in drawing out the full narrative from witnesses.