Question

At least five ‘Dos or Don’ts’ for interviewing witnesses and victims

At least three interviewing techniques that can be used for effective questioning
Two to three sentences/details that could be used as ‘talking points’ for each of the components you’ve listed.
Here’s an example: Interviewing ‘Don’t’ # 1: Do not assume that all suspects are going to lie. Although interviewers should always be on the lookout for body language and other information that suggests a witness isn’t telling the truth, assuming everyone is being dishonest can lead to loss of valuable evidence. Instead, pay attention to eye contact and gestures.
Step 2: Moderator-Curated Question Creation
After you create your talking point list, it’s time to come up with a list of panel questions. During panel discussions, a moderator leads much of the dialogue through direct questioning.
During this step, you’ll come up with three important questions centered on interviewing techniques used with witnesses and victims. You’ll also need to come up with a possible response for each. Your response should be at least three to four sentences in length and detailed enough to fully answer the question.
Step 3: Combine Both Lists
Now that you’ve finished Steps 1 and 2, combine both lists into one comprehensive document that could be presented to panel experts.
To complete this activity, please submit your list.

Answer 1

Dos and Don'ts for Interviewing Witnesses and Victims:

Do establish rapport and build trust with the witness or victim to facilitate better communication.

Don't use leading questions that may influence or bias the witness or victim's responses.

Do actively listen to the witness or victim's responses, ask open-ended questions, and allow them to fully express themselves.

Don't interrupt or talk over the witness or victim, as it may cause them to shut down or become defensive.

Do ensure that the witness or victim understands the questions being asked and provide clarification if needed.

Interviewing Techniques for Effective Questioning:

Cognitive Interviewing: A technique that involves asking open-ended questions and allowing the witness or victim to mentally re-create the event to provide a more accurate and detailed account.

Active Listening: A technique that involves fully focusing on the witness or victim's responses, providing verbal and nonverbal cues to show understanding and encourage them to continue speaking.

Structured Interviewing: A technique that involves asking a set of standardized questions to all witnesses or victims to ensure consistency and help detect any inconsistencies in their responses.

Possible Panel Questions and Responses:

What are some common mistakes interviewers make when questioning witnesses or victims, and how can they avoid them?

Response: Interviewers should avoid leading questions, interrupting or talking over the witness or victim, assuming the witness or victim is lying, and using jargon or technical terms they may not understand. Instead, they should actively listen, build rapport, and ask open-ended questions.

How can cognitive interviewing help obtain more accurate information from witnesses or victims?

Response: Cognitive interviewing encourages witnesses or victims to mentally recreate the event and provide a more detailed and accurate account. This technique involves asking open-ended questions, using visualization and sensory details, and encouraging the witness or victim to recall specific details.

What are some effective strategies for dealing with a witness or victim who is uncooperative or difficult to communicate with?

Response: Strategies for dealing with an uncooperative witness or victim may include building rapport, using active listening techniques, providing them with breaks or a change of scenery, and using positive reinforcement. It's also important to remain calm and patient and avoid using aggressive or confrontational tactics.