What type of questioning is crucial in establishing the reliability of witness statements?

Open-ended questions are essential for establishing the reliability of witness statements as they encourage witnesses to provide detailed and comprehensive responses. By asking open-ended questions, investigators allow witnesses to share their observations without being confined to yes or no answers, or prompted toward a specific response. This method can elicit more nuanced information, revealing the context, emotions, and perceptions of the witness, which is critical in assessing the credibility of their statements.

In a situation where thoroughness and depth are needed, open-ended questions prompt the witness to elaborate on their experience, providing a clearer and fuller picture of the events in question. This approach significantly enhances the quality of information gathered, making it easier to discern inconsistencies or confirm details when cross-referencing multiple statements. Moreover, gathering contextual details through open-ended questions can lead to additional avenues of investigation that might not have been considered if restrictive questioning styles were employed.