Utfrågning

Utfrågning is a Swedish term for formal, thorough questioning of a person to obtain information, verify facts, or assess credibility. It is used in several contexts, including criminal investigations, administrative inquiries, parliamentary hearings, and investigative journalism. The word derives from utfråga, meaning to question someone in depth, and is related to, but distinct from, ett intervju (interview) and ett förhör (police interrogation).

In a legal context, utfrågningar are conducted by authorities such as police, prosecutors, or courts to establish facts and evaluate statements. The process is governed by applicable law and may include rights for the person questioned, such as access to legal counsel, protection against coercion, and limits on duration and methods. The aim is to gather reliable information while safeguarding individual rights.

In non-legal settings, utfrågningar occur in public inquiries, parliamentary committees, corporate investigations, or academic settings, where witnesses or experts are asked to provide testimony or clarifications. In journalism, utfrågning refers to in-depth questioning of a subject to obtain information, expose inconsistencies, and illuminate issues for the public.

Safeguards and considerations include ensuring voluntary participation, informed consent, accurate recording, and privacy protections; the use of interpreters for non-native speakers; and adherence to professional and legal norms to avoid coercion, bias, or misleading impressions. The term thus covers a range of inquiry practices governed by ethical and legal standards.