Which term refers to an interview aimed at obtaining admissions or confessions directly from an investigation target?

The term "an accusatory interview" specifically refers to a type of interrogation conducted with the intent to confront the subject regarding alleged wrongdoing, thereby encouraging them to provide admissions or confessions. This approach is often employed in security and loss prevention environments to extract critical information related to theft, fraud, or other violations.

In an accusatory interview, the interviewer typically presents evidence or suspicions directly to the individual being questioned, creating a confrontational atmosphere that can prompt the subject to acknowledge their involvement. This technique is grounded in the psychological principle that individuals may be more likely to confess when placed in a situation where they feel their actions are being directly challenged.

Other types of interviews mentioned differ in purpose and approach. An examination may refer to a thorough review of facts and information, often lacking the direct confrontation characteristic of an accusatory interview. An informational interview is designed to collect general information without directly implicating the person being interviewed. A witness interview focuses on gathering information from a third party who may have witnessed an incident, not from the primary suspect themselves. Thus, "an accusatory interview" aptly captures the objective of obtaining admissions directly from the target of an investigation.