interrogates

Interrogate is a verb meaning to question someone closely, formally, or systematically in order to obtain information, verify facts, or determine truth. The third-person singular present tense is interrogates; past tense interrogated; present participle interrogating. The related noun is interrogation, and the agent noun is interrogator.

Interrogation occurs in a variety of settings, including law enforcement, intelligence work, military investigations, journalism, and research interviews. The term interrogates can describe both the act and the person conducting it: the officer interrogates the suspect; the researcher interrogates participants.

Legal and ethical standards govern interrogations. Many jurisdictions regulate questioning to prevent coercion and protect rights, such as the right to counsel and protection against self-incrimination. International law prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Evidence obtained through coercive interrogation is often deemed inadmissible in court.

Scholars distinguish interrogation from interviewing; interrogation tends to imply formal authority and pressure, while interviewing is usually more open-ended and voluntary. In practice, organizations emphasize clear objectives, accurate documentation, non-coercive methods, and avoidance of bias or manipulation.

Etymology: Interrogate derives from Latin interrogare, from inter- 'between' plus rogare 'to ask', with later development through Old French and English. The word has been in use since the late Middle Ages and remains common in legal, security, and investigative contexts.