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 significantly distort the witness's recall of events. When a question suggests a particular answer or contains information that the witness may not have originally considered, it can influence their memory and potentially alter the accuracy of their testimony. This distortion can lead to unreliable information, which is detrimental to the investigation and can impact the integrity of the legal process.

Witnesses may begin to adopt the information suggested by leading questions, often without realizing it, leading to inaccuracies in their accounts. Accurate recall is vital, as the details provided by witnesses can be crucial in piecing together the facts of a case. Non-leading, open-ended questions allow witnesses to describe their experiences in their own words, which tends to yield more reliable and comprehensive information. This practice fosters a more truthful recreation of events and upholds the integrity of the investigative process.