When interviewing a witness to an incident, the most reliable question style for eliciting accurate information is:
Explanation
Open-ended questions ('Tell me what happened,' 'Describe the person you saw') allow witnesses to narrate without external suggestion, producing more accurate and complete information. Leading questions ('The man had a beard, right?') can contaminate memory and create false confidence in incorrect details — a documented problem in eyewitness research. The PEACE model (Preparation, Engage, Account, Closure, Evaluate) used in modern police training favors open questioning. After the free narrative, the interviewer drills into specifics with neutral clarifying questions. Guards should avoid leading questions, especially regarding suspect identification, to preserve evidentiary value.
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