What action should be taken if an interviewee is incapacitated?

• A. Ask the interviewee to continue with a plan.
• B. Record as much as possible and continue.
• C. Take a note of the time and continue.
• D. Document the reason for their inability to provide a statement.

Answer: (D)

When someone is incapacitated, the priority is to protect their well-being and maintain the integrity of the record. The best course is to document the reason for their inability to provide a statement. This creates a clear, truthful account of why the interview couldn’t proceed at that moment and what was observed or diagnosed, which is essential for any future follow-up, rescheduling, or review. It also protects the interviewer by showing that the situation was handled appropriately and that no unreliable or coerced information was recorded.

Why the other actions aren’t appropriate: asking the interviewee to continue with a plan or proceeding to record as much as possible can produce statements that aren’t voluntary or accurate, undermining reliability. Merely noting the time without explaining the incapacity leaves the record incomplete and confusing. Documenting the reason directly addresses the situation and supports proper next steps, such as pausing the interview or arranging for medical attention.