IAI Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI) Practice Exam

An alternative choice question is best characterized by offering two distinct options that present different perspectives or conclusions about a scenario or statement. In the context of questioning, especially in interviews related to forensic or investigative practices, these types of questions might specifically lead the respondent towards recognizing fault or complicity because they can frame the response in a way that both options imply some level of guilt or concession.

This format is particularly effective in eliciting information or encouraging a specific type of engagement from the respondent. It can guide the interviewee to weigh the implications of each option, often leading them to a self-reflective consideration of their actions or choices. The design of such questions can strategically manipulate the context of the discussion, thereby revealing underlying truths or inconsistencies in the respondent’s narrative.

The characteristics of alternative choice questions are thus distinct from other types of questions, like those that provide multiple answers without a clear dichotomy or those that limit responses to a binary yes or no, which can restrict the depth of understanding. Overall, the focus on guilt in both alternatives makes this type of question a powerful tool in forensic interviews.