What is the main purpose of conducting a crime scene interview?

The main purpose of conducting a crime scene interview is to gather information from witnesses and victims. This process is crucial because witnesses and victims can provide firsthand accounts of what they observed during the crime, including identifying suspects, describing events, and detailing any unusual behaviors. Their testimonies can lead investigators to significant evidence and clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.

While collecting evidence for court is an essential aspect of a criminal investigation, the interview itself is specifically aimed at obtaining narrative accounts that can guide subsequent investigative actions. Intimidating suspects is not a legitimate or ethical goal of conducting interviews and can lead to unreliable statements or legal repercussions. Establishing alibis for suspects is also not a primary objective of interviews with witnesses or victims; rather, those roles mainly involve clarifying what happened during the crime from an impartial standpoint. Thus, the correct focus of a crime scene interview lies in gathering firsthand information to aid the investigation.