interrogated

Interrogated is the past tense of interrogate, meaning to question someone thoroughly to obtain information, uncover facts, or determine truth. The term is used across law enforcement, military and security contexts, intelligence, journalism, and internal investigations. Interrogation can be informal or formal and may serve to collect evidence, verify statements, or assess credibility.

Interrogate derives from Latin interrogare, from inter- meaning “between” and rogare meaning “to ask.”

In legal and ethical terms, interrogation is regulated in many jurisdictions to protect the rights of suspects and witnesses. In the United States, custodial interrogation generally requires warnings about rights and access to counsel (the Miranda framework); statements obtained without proper safeguards may be inadmissible in court. International law prohibits torture and cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment during questioning. Across systems, there is an emphasis on avoiding coercive methods and on using procedures designed to obtain accurate information.

Practices and methods vary by context. Techniques range from open-ended questioning and structured interviewing to more formal interrogation protocols used in investigations. Specialized approaches are employed for children or vulnerable individuals to minimize suggestibility and protect welfare. In journalism, interrogation refers to rigorous questioning intended to verify facts and obtain reliable information from sources. The effectiveness and legality of interrogation depend on training, adherence to standards, and respect for legal and ethical boundaries.