During an interrogation, if an investigator feels discouraged, what should they do?

• A. Continue for a little longer
• B. Take a break and end the session
• C. Seek supervision
• D. Conclude the interrogation

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is maintaining momentum and self-regulation during an interrogation. When discouragement hits, pushing to continue for a brief period helps test whether the feeling is temporary and keeps the information-gathering process on track. A short continuation allows you to apply your techniques, observe the subject’s responses, and potentially unlock more disclosures without prematurely ending the session. Taking a break or ending the session ends the opportunity to gather information and can disrupt rapport; seeking supervision is a good option, but it’s more about ongoing support than the immediate action to take during the moment of discouragement. Consciously choosing to press on for a little longer preserves progress and keeps the interrogation progressing.