What does the functional assessment approach focus on during an interrogation?

The functional assessment approach centers on understanding the reasons behind a suspect's behavior during an interrogation. This method seeks to identify the underlying motivations and circumstances that influence a suspect's actions, which can provide valuable insights into their mindset, emotions, and potential justifications for their behavior. By exploring these aspects, investigators can uncover critical information that may lead to a better understanding of the crime, the suspect's role, and how to effectively proceed with the interrogation.

In contrast, examining a suspect's personal history, while potentially informative, does not directly align with the focus of a functional assessment. Gathering physical evidence is an investigative function, but it does not address the psychological or behavioral reasons for a suspect's actions. Assessing the credibility of witness statements is also vital for the investigative process, yet it is not the primary concern of the functional assessment approach, which is specifically aimed at the suspect's behavior and motivations.