What type of questions is considered least difficult for an investigator to use when trying to build rapport with a subject?

Leading questions are often used to guide a subject towards a particular response and may not foster genuine communication or rapport. While they can be useful in certain contexts, their nature can make a subject feel pressured or manipulated, which can hinder the development of a trusting relationship.

In contrast, open-ended questions are generally considered the best approach for building rapport. They encourage a more extensive dialogue, allowing subjects to express their thoughts and feelings more freely. This opens the door for investigators to understand the subject better and creates an environment conducive to trust and openness.

Direct questions typically require specific answers, which can limit the depth of conversation and may not encourage the subject to engage on a more personal level. Rhetorical questions, while potentially thought-provoking, do not invite answers and thus do not facilitate discussion needed to establish rapport.

In summary, while leading questions may seem easy to use, they do not promote the kind of open interaction that is essential for building rapport, which is why other question types, particularly open-ended questions, are generally more effective.