Questioning a Witness - English for Police
witness (noun): a person who sees something happen
Witnesses are valuable to the police. A witness is somebody who is actually present when something happens and who sees what happens. The police usually like to question all witnesses as soon as possible after a crime, accident or other event.
Example Sentences
Questions police ask witnesses
- Did you see what she was wearing?
- Did he have a weapon?
- Was the gun loaded?
- What kind of car was the thief driving?
- I will need to get a statement from you.
- How long ago did this happen?
- If you think of anything else, please notify us.
Description of a suspect
- He was wearing sunglasses.
- He had a mustache.
- He had a beard.
- She was dressed in black.
- She had a baseball cap on.
- She was wearing gloves.
- Hair: short, long, shoulder length, curly, straight, spiky, brown, blond, black, red, in a ponytail
- Body: skinny, fat, chubby, medium build, muscular, tall, short, average height
Sample Conversation
An ESL teacher working in Korea witnesses a bank robbery. The police question her as a witness...
Police: I understand you were the key witness for the robbery.
Woman: Yes, I was the only other person in the bank besides the tellers.
Police: Are you okay to answer some questions for me?
Woman: Sure. I don't know how much help I'll be. He made me get on the ground so I didn't get a very good look at him.
Police: Was he carrying a weapon?
Woman: Yes, he had a pistol in his back pocket. He threatened to use it, but I doubt it was loaded.
Police: What makes you say that?
Woman: He was just a kid. Probably fifteen or younger.
Police: Can you describe him for me?
Woman: He was Asian. Probably five foot six. He was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. I can't remember what else he was wearing.
Police: Did he talk directly to you? I mean, did he ask you for your money or anything?
Woman: No, he just told me to get on the ground. That's all I know. I'm running late for a class. Is it okay if I go now?
Police: I just want to get your name and phone number. If you think of anything else, please notify us.