Police Sergeant Practice Exam

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According to experts in criminal investigation, which statement about conducting interviews is NOT true?

Young children are the best witnesses
Middle-aged persons are the worst witnesses
Witness reliability decreases with age
Witnesses are influenced by leading questions

The correct answer is: Middle-aged persons are the worst witnesses

The statement that middle-aged persons are the worst witnesses is not supported by the principles of criminal investigation. In fact, individuals in middle age often have a greater capacity for reliable recall due to life experience and cognitive maturity. They tend to have better attention spans and are often more stable emotionally than very young or elderly witnesses. Experts suggest that older adults may face challenges in memory recall, but middle-aged individuals usually provide accurate and reliable testimonies. The other statements highlight important considerations in witness credibility and how different factors can affect the accuracy of their accounts. For example, young children may struggle with memory and comprehension, making them less effective in providing reliable testimony, though they can be valuable in certain contexts. Witness reliability can vary with age, but it is not always a linear decrease, as life experiences and context can play significant roles. Additionally, how witnesses respond to leading questions can greatly affect their memory and account, highlighting the need for careful interview techniques.