Free FRI-CERT sample questions

Correct answer: C) Asking the manager to confirm a small, non-threatening fact about departmental procedures before asking for sensitive data.

This is the optimal approach. Cialdini's consistency principle (and the foot-in-the-door technique) involves getting the subject to make a small, initial commitment or agreement. Once they agree to a minor request (like confirming a basic procedure), their psychological desire to remain consistent makes them more likely to agree to subsequent, larger requests (like sharing sensitive data). The other options rely on authority, confrontation, or negotiation rather than the consistency principle.

Correct answers: A) Ensuring the interview takes place in a private location where the conversation cannot be overheard.; C) Removing physical barriers, such as a large desk, from between the interviewer and the witness.

Ensuring privacy is a fundamental requirement for psychological safety, allowing the witness to speak freely without fear of eavesdropping. Removing physical barriers like a large desk reduces the power imbalance and makes the environment feel more collaborative and less like an interrogation. Sitting between the subject and the door can make them feel trapped, while multiple interrogators increase intimidation.

Removing physical barriers like a large desk reduces the power imbalance and makes the environment feel more collaborative and less like an interrogation. Ensuring privacy is a fundamental requirement for psychological safety, allowing the witness to speak freely without fear of eavesdropping.

Correct answer: B) "I understand you are incredibly busy with month-end. I only need 10 minutes specifically because it is your expertise in the processing system, not the HR rates, that I rely on to understand how this works."

This option effectively reframes the excuse. It actively listens and validates the subject's time constraint (month-end), minimizes the commitment (10 minutes), and strokes the subject's ego by highlighting their specific, irreplaceable expertise (processing vs. HR rates). This transforms resistance into cooperation. Option A relies on authority. Option C completely loses the interview opportunity. Option D is accusatory and destroys psychological safety.

Correct answer: B) "I am finding it difficult to understand this server architecture without your expertise to guide me."

A proper "I" message focuses on the speaker's feelings, needs, or challenges rather than accusing the listener. Option B frames the issue as the interviewer's difficulty, reducing the subject's defensiveness while subtly stroking their ego. Option A uses "I" but is immediately followed by an accusation ("you are withholding"). Options C and D are direct "You" messages disguised as instructions.

Correct answer: False

False. Presenting contradictory evidence immediately when a subject is reluctant or aggressive will likely increase their defensiveness and shut down communication. The best practice is to first address the reluctance through emotional labeling, active listening, and rapport building to create psychological safety before challenging their narrative with evidence.

Correct answer: A) An interview is structured, not free-form, and is designed specifically to elicit information for a purpose.

According to the ACFE, an interview is a well-structured question-and-answer session designed to elicit information. It differs from an ordinary conversation in that it is structured and purposeful, rather than casual and free-form. Interviews are not exclusively for suspects, nor do they strictly require audio recording to be valid.