What is the primary purpose of an interrogation?

The primary purpose of an interrogation is to elicit information or a confession from a suspect. This process is integral to criminal investigations, as it allows law enforcement officers to obtain firsthand accounts or admissions of guilt regarding the crime being investigated. Interrogations are designed to encourage suspects to reveal details that may not be easily observable through other means, and they can be pivotal in establishing the timeline of events, motives, and other critical aspects of a case.

While gathering evidence from witnesses can contribute to the overall investigation, it does not specifically pertain to the interaction with suspects. Similarly, preparing a suspect for trial is a role typically fulfilled by legal counsel rather than during an interrogation. Providing legal counsel to a suspect focuses on their rights and legal defense, which is outside the primary goals of an interrogation scenario. Thus, the focus remains on obtaining meaningful, actionable information directly from the suspect, which is the essence of effective interrogation techniques.