Ready-made or typed question: which to use
Two ways to ask
On the interrogation screen, the questions window has two tabs. "Questions about the case" holds the ready-made questions that are unlocked for that suspect. "Detective's questions" holds the ones you saved in your Notebook: tapping one of them offers "Ask now" or "Adjust the question".
Below it all is the "Or ask in your own words…" field, where you can type anything you like. On your phone, the microphone inside the field can dictate the question for you.
How a typed question works
The game compares what you typed with the ready-made questions available for that suspect at that moment. If your question asks for the same information or presents the same evidence as one of them, it counts as that question: it reveals the same clue, earns the same points and can even trigger the confession. The suspect answers in different words, but the content is the same.
If your question doesn't match any of them, the suspect dodges it and nothing is revealed. If you insult them or accuse them without showing evidence, they shut down, angry. If you only ask who they are, they introduce themselves with their name and role, without giving anything away.
Heads up: in all three cases the question counts on the counter, just like a ready-made one. Typing is not a way to ask for free.
When to use each one
The ready-made question is the safe bet: you know what you're asking, and it's there because its requirements have already been met. The list is shuffled after every answer, so there's no point memorizing positions; read the text.
The typed question shines in two moments. The first is when you want to get straight to the point in your own words about something already on the list. The second is to test a hunch, knowing that if it doesn't match anything, you've spent a question. A typed question doesn't unlock what is still locked: it only matches questions that are already available.
One detail for anyone playing with voice on: answers to questions you type come as text only. The "Recorder down" notice explains this the first time, and you can check "Don't show again".
The limit applies to both
Every case has a question limit, shown on the counter. Ready-made or typed, revealing or not: each one takes one off. Some heavy questions count even more. The guide on how not to waste questions explains the limit in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Does a typed question that goes nowhere use up a question?
Yes. Every question you send counts on the counter, even when the suspect just dodges it.
Can I type in another language?
Yes. The suspect answers in the language the question was written in.
Does a typed question unlock questions that haven't shown up yet?
No. It only counts when it matches a ready-made question that is already available. To unlock the others, you need to reveal the clues they require.
