What should investigators avoid when questioning subjects to ensure accurate information?

Investigators should avoid leading questions when questioning subjects to ensure accurate information. Leading questions are those that suggest a particular answer or contain the information the investigator is looking for, which can influence the respondent's reply. Such questions can create bias and may result in unreliable or distorted information, as subjects might respond to the implication rather than providing their honest perspective.

For example, instead of asking, "You saw him leaving the scene, didn't you?" which suggests that the person did witness something, a more neutral approach would be, "What did you see that day?" This way, the investigator allows the subject to provide their own account without being nudged towards a specific answer. Therefore, steering clear of leading questions is crucial for collecting accurate and credible information during the investigative process.