Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

During which interrogation technique do officers focus on maintaining the suspect's dignity?

1. Complimentary

2. Sympathetic

3. Face Saving

4. Direct

The correct answer is: Face Saving

The technique that focuses on maintaining the suspect's dignity is known as "face saving." This approach is rooted in the understanding that individuals have a personal identity and reputation they wish to uphold, especially in sensitive situations like an interrogation. By recognizing this, officers can foster a more constructive atmosphere during questioning. Utilizing a face-saving technique involves providing the suspect with options or room to save face, which can help reduce defensiveness and encourage cooperation. This could include acknowledging the suspect's feelings, using non-confrontational language, or allowing them to feel that they are being treated with respect, rather than as an adversary. This respectful approach can lead to more open dialogue and can be particularly effective in eliciting information. In contrast, the other methods, while they may have their own merits, do not specifically emphasize the aspect of dignity in the same way that face saving does. For instance, the complimentary technique might involve flattery, while sympathetic could involve expressing understanding or empathy, but neither explicitly prioritizes the preservation of the suspect's dignity to the extent that face saving does. The direct method typically involves straightforward questioning, which may not consider the suspect's desire to maintain personal dignity. This is why the face-saving technique is the correct answer in this context,