SPMAGTF(X) MOUT Training Program of Instruction

Fundamentals of Questioning

INTRODUCTION

GAIN ATTENTION

PURPOSE

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS

MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Without the use of references, the student will question a source in accordance with this period of instruction.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Given examples and without the use of references, the student will list an example of each type of question that should be used during an interview or interrogation.

METHOD AND MEDIA

This period of instruction will be taught through lecture and practical application.

TESTING

TRANISTION BODY

1. Definition of Questioning: Questioning is a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to obtain information. Questioning utilizes the basic interrogatives of who, what, where, when, how and why. When conducted properly, questioning will elicit valuable, timely and accurate information. When conducted improperly, questioning will confuse the source of the information, waste time and/or result in inaccurate information. Questioning MUST answer the basic interrogatives mentioned above.

2. When Does the Questioning Phase Begin?: Although there is no fixed point at which the approach phase (making initial contact with the source) ends; generally, the questioning phase commences when the source begins to answer pertinent questions.

3. Controlling the Conversation: Questioning is more than simply asking questions. Control must be maintained and the initiative must not be lost.

4. Types of Questions: Questions must be tailored to fit the source. For example, a civilian noncombatant may not understand questions that are laced with military terminology.

a. Direct Question: A direct question utilizes basic interrogatives. Two examples are - What is your name? - Who is the leader of your organization?
b. Follow-up Questions: These are used to exploit information of interest. Typically, a follow up question is based on the answer to a previous question.
c. Control Questions: These are used to maintain control and check the accuracy and truthfulness of the source's statements. Control questions should be mixed in with normal questions throughout the interview/interrogation.
d. Repeat Questions: This is a technique to help ensure accuracy and these types of questions can be especially helpful when you suspect that the source is lying. Typically, lies are more difficult to remember than the truth, inconsistencies in a story can be discovered by rephrasing or disguising the same question(s) asked earlier.

5. Principles of Good Questioning:

a. All questions should be brief and to the point.
b. All questions should be simple.
c. Use follow-up questions, this is essential.
d. Ask for narrative responses.
e. Questions should be clear and in one complete thought.

6. Types of Questions to be Avoided:

a. Negative questions - they contain the words not, no or none.
b. Leading questions - they tend to prompt a source to give the reply he/she believes the questioner wants to hear or to simply answer with a yes or no. Though the truth may eventually come out, it will require multiple leading questions to conclude this part of the interview/interrogation.
c. Compound questions - these types of questions really ask two or more questions at the same time. The source will either become confused or may intentionally provide an incomplete answer.
d. Vague questions - these types of questions elicit very broad and general answers. The source may find himself answering question completely unrelated to the topic. Using vague questions leads the interview/interrogation off course and onto a tangent. The resulting information reported from such a source may be false and misleading.

7. Improper Questioning Techniques:

a. Long winded questions - keep it simple, cover one idea or subject, exploit it then move on.
b. Use of slang or colloquialism - when questioning foreigners in either English or the source's native language, using slang terms may cause confusion and result in distorted information.

8. Effective Listening:

a. Remain calm - gather the facts, exploit all leads completely. Do not let the excitement of the source fog your judgement. Showing excitement over a particular item of information provided may lead to the source saying "more of the same" - either true or false.
b. Don't jump the gun - cutting the source off before he/she finishes answering may lose you a valuable lead. Ask questions and observe the source, if he/she answers and then pauses, wait - be patient. He or she may have much more to say. Additionally, silence can also be a valuable tool, a source who initially refuses to talk may begin to utter a word or phrase. This can often lead to opening "a floodgate" of information. Finally, DO NOT put word's into the source's mouth - let him/her finish before asking follow on questions or making a particular statement.

9. Clarify Vague Statements Made by the Source: Never take anything for granted - always ask the obvious!

a. Ambiguity - this anything that can be interpreted more than on way.
b. Vague adjectives - a little, always, possible, large, short, few, a lot, far, normal, everything, everywhere, near or long. These are all good examples of vague adjectives.
c. "Should - Could - Would" - during an interview/interrogation, there is a big difference between these three terms. It is important that you listen and, subsequently, follow up on all leads.
d. Drawing - there are times when " a picture is worth a thousand words". If a point is still unclear, attempt to have the source sketch a drawing. Ensure the drawing is annotated with: who made the drawing, the location of the area drawn and from where the drawing was made.

10. Qualify Statements Made by the Source: It is your responsibility to explore what the source really knows. What qualifies that person to know that information? How would that person know that information?

11. Verify Statements Made by the Source: All information gathered during an interview/interrogation should be reported. Whenever possible, cross-check all information obtained from a source.

12. Hearsay Information: Rumors must be annotated as just that - A RUMOR - they must also be annotated with who made the statement, exactly what they said, when they said it and to whom they said it.

QUESTIONS

SUMMARY

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