15 The “Traffic Light” Method: Green, Yellow, and Red-Light Questions
Wherever possible, investigators should avoid going into an interview unprepared. One of most important ways to prepare for an interview is to draft a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions.
One technique for ensuring a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions is the Traffic Light method:
Green Light TED Questions:
- TED questions use the words “Tell,” “Explain,” or “Describe” near the start of the question
- these are the most open-ended type of question
- these questions invite descriptive, elaborate answers
- ex. “Tell me more about what happened after work that night?”
- ex. “Describe what the suspect was wearing?”
Yellow Light 5W+H Questions:
- these questions begin with “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” “Why,” or “How”
- these questions can function as open-ended or closed-ended questions
- depending on the specific question, they might invite an elaborate explanation or a short, simple answer
- ex. “What was your reaction when you saw the accused?” (open-ended)
- ex. “What is the name of the accused?” (closed-ended)
Red Light Questions:
- these are closed-ended questions
- they invite brief, factual answers without much elaboration
- answers often take the form of Yes/No (but not always)
- ex. “Are you saying you went straight home after work?”
- ex. “Did you take your car or the bus to get home?”
