Which procedure deals with questioning a witness to reveal inconsistencies or to challenge credibility?

Which procedure deals with questioning a witness to reveal inconsistencies or to challenge credibility?

• A. Direct examination
• B. Cross-examination
• C. Redirect examination
• D. Voir dire

Answer: (B)

Cross-examination is the stage where the opposing side questions a witness with the aim of testing reliability and exposing inconsistencies in their statements. By using pointed, often leading questions, the examiner confronts the witness with prior statements, contradictory facts, or potential biases, making it harder for the witness to maintain a false or incomplete version of events. This process helps the finder of fact assess how much trust to place in the testimony. Direct examination, in contrast, seeks to develop a clear, favorable narrative from the witness through open-ended questions. Redirect examination comes after cross-examination to clarify or repair issues raised, rather than to challenge credibility. Voir dire refers to pre-trial screening—typically of jurors or, in some contexts, of witness competency or admissibility—not the adversarial testing of credibility during trial.

Cross-examination is the stage where the opposing side questions a witness with the aim of testing reliability and exposing inconsistencies in their statements. By using pointed, often leading questions, the examiner confronts the witness with prior statements, contradictory facts, or potential biases, making it harder for the witness to maintain a false or incomplete version of events. This process helps the finder of fact assess how much trust to place in the testimony. Direct examination, in contrast, seeks to develop a clear, favorable narrative from the witness through open-ended questions. Redirect examination comes after cross-examination to clarify or repair issues raised, rather than to challenge credibility. Voir dire refers to pre-trial screening—typically of jurors or, in some contexts, of witness competency or admissibility—not the adversarial testing of credibility during trial.