Final answer:
Field interview cards are used by officers to document encounters and collect information which might be helpful in ongoing or future investigations, not specifically during formal interrogations, solely for violent crime suspects, or as arrest warrant replacements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Police officers use field interview cards (FI cards) to record information during a variety of encounters with individuals. Although the student's question didn't list the correct use as one of the options, the most common use is not restricted to any single scenario from the options provided.
Instead, FI cards can be utilized during routine traffic stops, interactions with people on the street, field observations, or any other situation where police may need to document personal information and the details of an encounter. Options such as during formal interrogations at the police station, exclusively for suspects in violent crimes, or as a replacement for arrest warrants generally involve more formal processes and documentation.
FI cards serve as a means for officers to gather intelligence and maintain records of contacts that could be relevant to current or future investigations. Furthermore, these cards can provide crucial information that might later be referenced in legal proceedings or during follow-up investigations.