text: FM 2-22.3 _________________________________________________________________________________
  questions in order to check the truthfulness and consistency of the source's
  responses and to strengthen rapport.
  TYPES OF QUESTIONS TO AVOID
  9-14. When using the questioning methodologies of interrogation, HUMINT
  collectors should avoid using negative, compound, or vague questions.
  Leading questions are usually to be avoided, but some special questioning
  techniques, such as use of a polygraph, require the use of leading questions.
  Leading Questions
  9-15. Leading questions are questions that are constructed so as to require a
  yes or no answer rather than a narrative response. They generally begin with
  a form of the verb “to be” (such as “is,” “was,” “were,” “will,” “are”). For
  example, “Is the mayor working with the insurgents?” Leading questions
  should generally be avoided for the following reasons:
  • They make it easier for the source to lie since the source only provides
  minimal information.
  • It takes longer to acquire information.
  • A source, particularly one that is frightened or trying to get an
  incentive, will tend to answer in the way that he thinks the HUMINT
  collector wants him to answer.
  9-16. Although normally avoided during questioning, an experienced
  HUMINT collector may use leading questions when the technical nature of
  the subject matter or the specific information needed leaves no alternatives.
  Leading questions can be used to—
  • Verify specific facts.
  • Pinpoint map locations.
  • Confirm information obtained during map tracking.
  • Transition from one topic area to another.
  Negative Questions
  9-17. Negative questions are questions that contain a negative word in the
  question itself such as, "Didn’t you go to the pick-up point?” If the source
  says “yes,” the HUMINT collector is faced with the question of whether he
  means “yes, I went to the pick-up point” or “yes, I didn’t go to the pick-up
  point.” When the source answers, the HUMINT collector cannot be sure
  what the answer means; therefore, he must ask additional questions. This
  can be particularly confusing when working with an interpreter. Other
  cultures may interpret a negative question in a way other than what the
  HUMINT collector meant. Negative questions should never be used during
  questioning unless they are being used deliberately during the approach to
  make the source appear to contradict himself. In other instances, the
  insertion of negative words within the question makes them impossibly open-
  ended. For example, “Who didn’t attend the meeting?”