What is the purpose of interviewing arrested suspects?

The purpose of interviewing arrested suspects is primarily to obtain a confession or to find discrepancies in their accounts of events. This process is critical to building a case and involves carefully examining the suspect's statements, which can lead to insights about the crime, the suspect's involvement, or inconsistencies that may indicate deception.

In interviews, law enforcement officers seek to establish the facts surrounding the incident, gather evidence, and assess the credibility of the suspect's claims. When discrepancies or contradictions appear in the suspect's narrative, they can often be pivotal in piecing together the truth of the situation and may lead to further investigative actions.

While intimidation and coercion might lead to a confession, that approach is unethical and can jeopardize the legal process, making a confession inadmissible in court. Preparing suspects for court procedures has a different function and does not align with the primary aims of interviewing during the investigative phase. Similarly, establishing alibis pertains more to defending against a charge rather than gathering evidence during an interview. Therefore, the most accurate answer reflects the investigative intent behind conducting interviews with arrested suspects.