Legal Definitions - interrogator

An interrogator is an individual who formally or systematically asks questions of another person, typically in a legal, investigative, or official context, with the aim of gathering information, clarifying facts, or eliciting statements.

• For instance, during a criminal investigation, a police detective might question a person of interest about their activities on the night a crime occurred. The detective, by methodically posing questions to uncover details and potential involvement, is acting as the interrogator.

• In a civil lawsuit, an attorney conducting a deposition will ask a witness a series of questions under oath to discover facts relevant to the case. In this setting, the attorney serves as the interrogator, systematically questioning the witness to build their legal argument or gather evidence.

• Consider a situation where an auditor from a government regulatory agency is reviewing a company's financial records. The auditor might question the company's chief financial officer about specific transactions or accounting practices. Here, the auditor is the interrogator, as they are formally inquiring into the company's operations to ensure compliance with regulations.