What is the difference between interviewing a suspect and interrogation?

• A. Interviews are custodial.
• B. Interviews require rights advisement.
• C. Interviews seek information in a non-accusatory manner; interrogation is custodial questioning about guilt with rights advisement.
• D. Interrogations avoid rights advisement.

Answer: (C)

The main difference is how the interaction is framed and the setting it takes place in. An interview is information-seeking in a non-accusatory manner, usually non-custodial, where the goal is to gather facts without pressuring the person about guilt. Interrogation is custodial questioning specifically about guilt or involvement in a crime, and when someone is in custody, rights advisement (Miranda warnings) must be given before pressing for incriminating statements. That contrast—non-accusatory, non-custodial information gathering versus custodial, accusatory questioning with the protections of rights—is what separates interviewing from interrogation. In practice, casual interviews with witnesses or suspects who aren’t in custody don’t require rights advisement, while custodial interrogations do.