Asking Appropriate Questions

Asking Appropriate Questions

Situations that require specific questions in order to provide assistance or properly handle the issue:

  • Criminal activity.
  • Traffic collisions.
  • Property damage.
  • Fire damage/alarms.
  • Negative contacts.
  • Injuries.
  • Safety hazards.

While each of these situations may call for different information, the obtaining of the necessary information uses the same basic techniques of interviewing.

  • Need to know what information is required to complete the report or document the incident.
  • Ask questions that are relevant to the specific problem so that obtained data relates to the incident/event.
  • Let the person explain the incident/event in his or her own words.
  • Take notes while the person is explaining so you don’t have to constantly stop them for clarification.
  • Use the same principles as with any report – Who-What-When-Where-How-Why
  • Obtain proper identification from all parties for future reference/contact.
    • ○  Name
    • ○  Address
    • ○  Telephone Number
    • ○  Social Security Number
    • ○  Email Address
    • ○  Fax number
    • ○  Cell Phone number
  • Before documenting the incident, recap the information with the involved party to see if the information is accurate and correct.
  • Use the same principles as with any report – Who-What-When-Where-How-Why
  • Obtain proper identification from all parties for future reference/contact.
    • ○  Name
    • ○  Address
    • ○  Telephone Number
    • ○  Social Security Number
    • ○  Email Address
    • ○  Fax number
    • ○  Cell Phone number
  • Before documenting the incident, recap the information with the involved party to see if the information is accurate and correct.