Is that a clumsy way of establishing rapport with the subject, or are there actually FBI agents who think like that? No no, they were getting to know their sub

Is that a clumsy way of establishing rapport with the subject, or are there actually FBI agents who think like that? No no, they were getting to know their subject, building a profile, seeing how he responds. Did they deliver the question straight? Then see how he colors it. With sarcasm? See how he deals with antagonism. etc.