noun
voluntary questioning; voluntary interview
A police procedure where a person voluntarily agrees to be questioned, without arrest or compulsion. Common in legal and news contexts.
警察は容疑者に任意聴取を行った。
The police conducted a voluntary interview with the suspect.
任意聴取に応じるかどうかは本人の自由です。
Whether to comply with voluntary questioning is up to the individual.
Compound of 任意 (voluntary) and 聴取 (hearing, listening). A modern legal term.