One technique available to encourage a cooperative witness is to approach them as which of the following?

• A. Secondary source of information
• B. Primary source of information
• C. Hostile adversary
• D. Enemy

Answer: (A)

Treating a cooperative witness as a secondary source of information centers on shaping how you invite input. By framing them as someone who can provide context, background, and details that complement the main facts, you reduce pressure and defensiveness. This approach signals respect and collaboration, which makes the witness more willing to share what they know and helps you gather corroborating information without making them feel accused or targeted. In contrast, thinking of them as the primary witness can put undue emphasis on their personal memory and make them feel pressured to perform, while calling someone a hostile adversary or an enemy would provoke defensiveness and shut down communication. The key is to view their role as contributing valuable information that supports the investigation, not as the central performance to be extracted.