When interviewing tangential interviewees, what is the most recommended approach?

• A. Ask all interviewees the same questions
• B. Conduct interviews immediately after lunch
• C. Conduct interviews in your office or corporate counsel's office
• D. Record all tangential interviews

Answer: (D)

Recording all tangential interviews is the most recommended approach as it ensures accurate documentation of the conversations. This provides a reliable reference for later analysis and allows for capturing nuances in the interview that might be overlooked if only notes are taken. Additionally, recordings can help corroborate testimonies and ensure that the assessment of the information gathered is comprehensive.

It is essential to maintain high standards of accuracy and integrity in these types of interviews, particularly when dealing with sensitive information related to anti-money laundering (AML) efforts. By recording, you can also revisit specific parts of the discussion that may be significant for compliance or investigative purposes, facilitating a thorough understanding of the context provided by the interviewees.

Using a standardized set of questions or conducting interviews in a specific location may offer consistency, but they lack the depth and comprehensiveness that recording provides. Furthermore, timing of interviews, such as immediately after lunch, could impact the interview dynamics but does not enhance the reliability of the data gathered. Thus, the practice of recording tangential interviews stands out as the most effective method in this context.