What tactic involves rapid-fire questioning to confuse a witness?

The tactic that involves rapid-fire questioning to confuse a witness aligns with strategies often employed in investigative contexts, particularly in interrogation scenarios. This method can create a sense of urgency and pressure, leading witnesses to become flustered or uncertain, which may result in inconsistencies in their statements.

Rapid questioning can overwhelm a witness's cognitive load, making it difficult for them to recall details accurately. This approach can sometimes draw out new information or reveal contradictions as the witness attempts to keep up with the pace of questioning. However, in practice, such tactics can raise ethical concerns about the reliability of the information obtained and the psychological impact on the witness.

Investigative tactics encompass a broader range of methods, including gathering evidence and interviewing techniques that are structured and dialogic rather than aggressive. Similarly, defensive tactics are generally associated with strategies aimed at protecting one's position rather than eliciting information from others. Therefore, while there may be elements of truth in the other proposed choices, the nature of rapid-fire questioning points most directly to an offensive approach focused on gaining an advantage over a witness's ability to respond clearly.