Which of the following is a recommended step before conducting a suspect interview?

• A. Build rapport
• B. Know your case
• C. Explain your role
• D. Address victim safety

Answer: (B)

Knowing your case before interviewing a suspect provides the framework you need to plan effective questioning. With the case in mind, you can map out what facts you need to establish, align your questions to the evidence, and anticipate potential defenses or inconsistent statements. This preparation helps you stay focused, ask non-leading, admissible questions, and conduct a more professional, efficient interview rather than improvising on the fly.

Building rapport, explaining your role, and addressing victim safety are important components of the interview process, but they are elements you handle around or during the interview. The foundational prerequisite is having a solid understanding of the case, so you can direct the conversation toward the information that matters and maintain integrity throughout the interview.