What is the most appropriate initial step to obtain a statement from an interviewee?

• A. An oral statement
• B. A video statement
• C. A sworn deposition
• D. A written statement

Answer: (D)

Securing a written statement first provides a clear, verifiable record of the interviewee’s account. It allows the person to convey their recollection in their own words, review for accuracy, and make corrections before the account is committed to a formal record. The written document can capture essential details such as dates, times, places, and names, and it often includes signatures that authenticate the statement. This creates a solid baseline that investigators can rely on when planning follow-up questions, corroborating information, or comparing with other evidence.

Oral or video statements can be valuable later, but without a written record there’s greater risk of memory gaps or misinterpretation creeping in over time. A sworn deposition is a formal step used in legal proceedings and isn’t typically the initial method for gathering a routine interviewee account.