What is the primary purpose of involving a mental health professional in interviews?

• A. To support the interview process and provide accommodations without replacing investigators.
• B. To determine guilt.
• C. To prolong the interview.
• D. To replace investigators.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a mental health professional is brought in to support how the interview is conducted and to provide accommodations for the interviewee, not to decide guilt or replace investigators. Their role includes monitoring emotional and cognitive state, spotting signs of distress or coercion, and adapting the interview to be trauma‑informed and respectful. They can suggest breaks, adjust pacing, and offer accommodations for language, comprehension, or mental health needs, which helps protect the person’s rights and often leads to more accurate information. They’re there to assist the process and ensure it runs ethically and effectively, not to substitute the investigators or determine the outcome of the case.