This is where the target is assumed to be knowledgeable about some things and thus questions are asked on that premise. Based on the responses given, the social engineer will be able to determine whether or not the target was in possession of the knowledge that had been assumed. In law enforcement, it is common for officers to use these types of questions. For example, they may ask the target, Where does Mr. X, the victim, live? The important part of that question is that the officer makes an assumption that it is the respondent who has some information about a victim. There is the chance that the suspect does not know him but maybe he does. The response that he gives will reveal how much the suspect knows.
Social engineers, ...
