Which interview type specifically aims to gather information from witnesses in a criminal investigation?

The focus of witness interviews is precisely to gather detailed information from individuals who have seen or experienced an event related to a criminal investigation. Witnesses can provide critical insights, corroborate evidence, and help establish timelines or motives. This type of interview is strategically designed to elicit factual accounts, observational details, and any relevant perceptions that could aid in the investigation.

Victim interviews target individuals who have experienced harm or loss directly related to the crime, aiming to gather their perspectives and personal experiences. Field interviews generally involve interactions with individuals in a specific location relevant to the investigation and may include a wider range of people, not just witnesses. Canvas interviews typically involve canvassing an area to gather information from multiple people, but their primary goal is not exclusively focused on witnesses. Thus, while all of these interview types can play a role in an investigation, witness interviews distinctly aim to collect firsthand accounts from those who have observed critical aspects of the alleged crime.