Special Agent Entrance Practice Exam

Building rapport with a suspect is a common psychological tactic used during interrogations because it helps to establish a sense of trust and connection between the interrogator and the individual being questioned. When rapport is built, the suspect is more likely to feel comfortable and open up about their thoughts and feelings. This can lead to an increase in the amount of information they are willing to share.

Creating a rapport involves using empathy, active listening, and non-verbal cues to create a cooperative atmosphere. This approach makes the suspect more receptive to communication and can help in eliciting truthful responses. Additionally, a positive relationship can reduce the emotional barriers the suspect may have, leading to a more productive interrogation process overall.

In contrast, while offering plea deals, creating stressful environments, and using deception techniques are also strategies that can be employed in interrogations, building rapport stands out as a foundational method that can lead to better outcomes in terms of obtaining information from suspects.