During an interview, what behavior should you maintain with the suspect?

• A. Eye Contact
• B. Avoid Eye Contact
• C. Close Proximity
• D. Hands in pockets

Answer: (A)

Maintaining appropriate eye contact during a suspect interview signals you are engaged, in control, and ready to listen, while also giving you the chance to pick up nonverbal cues that indicate truth or deception. It shows confidence and helps build rapport, making the suspect more willing to talk and reveal information. The goal isn’t to stare but to keep steady, natural eye contact and to blend it with attentive posture and calm facial expressions.

Avoiding eye contact can make you seem evasive or unsure and can erode trust, which undermines the interview process. Keeping too close to the suspect or invading personal space can feel confrontational or disrespectful and may raise safety concerns. Having hands in pockets projects a casual, unprepared image and can reduce perceived authority and attentiveness.

So, the best practice is to maintain steady, appropriate eye contact throughout the interview.