Why is it important to avoid leading questions when interviewing a witness?

Avoiding leading questions when interviewing a witness is crucial because leading questions can distort the witness's recall of events. Leading questions suggest a particular answer or contain information that the interviewer wants the witness to confirm, which can create bias in the witness's responses. This distortion may lead to inaccuracies in their account, compromising the integrity of the evidence gathered during the investigation.

Witnesses should be allowed to express their recollection of events freely, using their own words, to ensure that their memories are accurately captured without influence. This approach builds trust and enhances the reliability of the testimony, ultimately supporting a more accurate understanding of the incident being investigated.

In contrast, the other options may imply certain advantages, such as efficiency or simplification, but these do not take precedence over the necessity of obtaining accurate and unbiased testimony, which is paramount to a successful investigation.