Which statement best matches the material's stance on sympathy and empathy in interrogation?

• A. Sympathy and empathy should be avoided
• B. Sympathy and empathy should be shown to build rapport
• C. Sympathy should be shown but not empathy
• D. Empathy is mandatory

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is maintaining professional detachment during interrogation. The material argues that sympathy and empathy should be avoided because expressing them can signal emotional involvement or bias, which may influence the suspect’s responses or lead to the interviewer being perceived as favoring one side. By keeping a neutral, objective stance and sticking to structured, evidence-based questioning, the investigator preserves credibility, reduces the risk of manipulation, and ensures information is gathered in a way that supports fair, reliable outcomes. This doesn’t mean being unapproachable; it means managing emotional expressions to maintain control and objectivity throughout the process.