ABSTRACT
Every police officer must be familiar with the rules relating to question-
ing suspects. Improper questioning may not only contaminate the statements
obtained, but also the evidence obtained as a result of the improper question-
ing. This does not mean, however, that all questioning is improper. The U.S.
Supreme Court, in Miranda v. Arizona,1 pointed out that its decision was not
intended to hamper the traditional function of police officers in investigating
crime. The Court specifically approved the questioning of persons not under
restraint, general on-the-scene questioning as to facts surrounding a crime,
and other general questioning of citizens in the fact-finding process. They
argued that the use of questions in ferreting out the guilty is a proper and
necessary tool in protecting society.2
