ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

Cross-examination is most effectively used to achieve what?

1. Obtain a confession

2. Prove the innocence of the defendant

3. Discredit a witness

4. Share expert testimony

The correct answer is: Discredit a witness

Cross-examination is a critical component of the adversarial legal system, particularly in court proceedings. Its primary purpose is to assess the reliability of the opposing party's testimony. To effectively accomplish this, cross-examination aims to identify inconsistencies, weaknesses, or biases in a witness's statements. By challenging a witness's credibility through targeted questioning, an attorney can bring into question the accuracy of their testimony, which can ultimately impact the overall case. While obtaining a confession, proving innocence, or sharing expert testimony can be elements of legal strategy, they are not the primary focus of cross-examination. Each of those objectives involves different legal tactics or processes, such as direct questioning during a hearing or the introduction of evidence. Therefore, discrediting a witness stands out as the main goal of cross-examination, as it seeks to undermine the trustworthiness of the information presented by that witness.