What does 'interrogation' involve in a law enforcement context?

In a law enforcement context, interrogation specifically refers to the process of questioning a suspect with the objective of obtaining confessions or critical information related to a crime. This method is aimed at eliciting the truth from the individual being interrogated and often employs various techniques to encourage the suspect to disclose details about criminal activity, their involvement, or to confess outright.

The focus on questioning is essential, as the interrogator seeks not only to understand the facts of a case but also to determine the suspect's motives, state of mind, and any potential inconsistencies in their story. This process is crucial for building a case and is often a pivotal component of investigations whereby confession can serve as key evidence in legal proceedings.

In contrast, gathering evidence at crime scenes, assessing witness statements, and conducting surveillance involve gathering information and data from different sources rather than directly questioning a suspect, thus differentiating these activities from the specific act of interrogation.