Which of the following is a key element of conducting effective interviews?

Building rapport with the interviewee is a fundamental element of conducting effective interviews. Establishing a connection creates a comfortable environment, making the interviewee more likely to open up and share valuable information. When rapport is built, the interviewee may feel more secure and less threatened, which can lead to more truthful and comprehensive responses. This trust can significantly enhance the quality of the information gathered during the interview, allowing for a more effective investigative process.

In contrast, aggressive tactics can lead to defensiveness and mistrust, alienating the individual being interviewed. Disregarding non-verbal cues may cause the interviewer to miss crucial signs of discomfort, deception, or stress that are integral to understanding the interviewee’s true feelings and reactions. Relying solely on closed-ended questions limits the depth of the conversation, restricting the interviewee's ability to provide detailed answers and potentially missing vital information that could be uncovered through open-ended questions.