Positive commandment · Mitzvat Aseh #179 of 613
To cross-examine the witnesses thoroughly
לחקור העדים הרבה
The verse · Devarim 13:15
וְדָרַשְׁתָּ וְחָקַרְתָּ וְשָׁאַלְתָּ הֵיטֵב וְהִנֵּה אֱמֶת נָכוֹן הַדָּבָר נֶעֶשְׂתָה הַתּוֹעֵבָה הַזֹּאת בְּקִרְבֶּךָ
“then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination was done among you;”
The Rambam’s words
To cross-examine the witnesses thoroughly, as [Deuteronomy 13:15] states: "You must investigate and probe, making careful enquiry."
לחקור העדים הרבה, שנאמר: "ודרשת וחקרת ושאלת, היטב" (דברים יג,טו).
Who & when
“And this commandment is practiced regarding money [cases] in every place and at all times by males, as it up to them to administer justice, and not to women.”
Where in the Mishneh Torah
Hilchot Testimony הלכות עדות