The subject's normative behavior can be established at the beginning of the interview by asking nonthreatening background questions.

• A. False
• B. It cannot be established
• C. True
• D. Only after confrontation

Answer: (C)

Starting with nonthreatening background questions sets a baseline for how the subject normally behaves. By keeping the initial questions neutral, you create a calm context in which the person can speak openly, allowing you to observe typical patterns in speech, pacing, gaze, and posture. This baseline becomes a reference point to compare against later when more sensitive or accusatory topics are discussed. If you wait for confrontation to begin, the subject’s stress responses are already activated, which distorts the baseline and makes it harder to distinguish genuine cues from general anxiety. So, establishing normative behavior at the outset is the most reliable way to gauge deviations later, which is why this statement is true.