What formal process involves systematic questioning of a person who is in custody?

The formal process that involves the systematic questioning of a person in custody is interrogation. In this context, interrogation is characterized by a structured and often intensive questioning methodology aimed at eliciting confessions or obtaining detailed information from a suspect about a crime. It relies on a variety of techniques and strategies, which can include psychological tactics designed to encourage the subject to provide truthful responses.

Interrogation is distinct from other forms of questioning, such as interviews, which are generally more conversational and may be less confrontational. While inquiry and questioning can refer to various types of questioning outside of a legal framework, interrogation specifically pertains to the circumstances where a suspect is in custody and the questioning is undertaken with the potential legal implications in mind.