“询”到“讯”——《治安管理处罚法》修订中基本术语的取舍与辨析

Interrogation and Inquiry——The Selection and Discrimination of Terminology in the Revise of Security Administration Punishment Law

"讯问"与"询问"看似一字之差,但二者意义却南辕北辙,立法中究竟使用何者,对执法实践影响重大。《治安管理处罚法》出台之前,我国治安领域立法区分对违反治安管理行为人和证人、被害人的询问活动,分别采用"讯问"与"询问"的调查活动,但在《治安管理处罚法》中规定统一采用"询问",这一做法忽略了"讯"、"询"二者之间的区别,模糊了不同调查手段的界限,缺乏理论和事实依据。通过对词源、语言学、法理和国外经验等多角度分析"讯问"与"询问"二者区别,得出对违法人宜恢复使用"讯问"的结论,并为恢复使用"讯问"提供理论基础。

There is an only single word difference between the words interrogation and inquiry literally, while there is a significant difference in the meaning which to use in legislation has a great influence on practice of law enforcement. Before the introduction of＂the Law on punishment of Public Security Administration＂, the law in public security distinguish the inquiring behavior between the violator and witness, victim. It uses interrogation and inquiry separately. We use＂inquiry＂uniformly in＂the Law on punishment of Public Security Administration＂. It neglects the difference between the interrogation and inquiry, blur the boundary in different means of investigation. It lacks theoretical and practical basis. From the etymology, linguistics, jurisprudence and foreign experience, this paper analyzes and discusses the difference between the two interrogations and inquiry, and draws the conclusion that it is suitable for illegal persons to resume the use of interrogation, and it provides a theoretical basis for the resumption of the use of＂interrogation＂.