Talk Show Panel Talking Points

Question

Required Materials
Word processing software
A talk show panel is an excellent way to look at a subject from various viewpoints and communicate diverse opinions to the public. So for this activity, you’ll be creating a list of talking points for a panel discussion on interviewing techniques used with witnesses and victims of a crime. You’ll also be creating three moderator-curated panelist questions and a response for each.

Step 1: Talking Point List Creation
The traditional panel includes the following elements: welcome message, introduction of the panelists, panelist presentations, moderator questions (directed at the panelists), a summary, and a thank you.

For this activity, you will be creating content that would be used in the panelist presentations. You will start by creating a ‘talking point’ list.

This list should include:

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

Panel Discussion on Interviewing Techniques Used with Witnesses and Victims of a Crime

Step 1: Talking Point List

Interviewing 'Dos and Don'ts'

1. Do create a comfortable environment

   • Establish a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the interview by choosing a quiet location and ensuring privacy. This approach helps witnesses and victims feel at ease and more willing to open up about their experiences. Building rapport is essential for obtaining accurate and useful information during the interview.

2. Don’t rush the process

   • Patience is crucial when interviewing victims and witnesses, as they may need time to recollect details about the event. Rushing through the interview can lead to incomplete information or cause the interviewee to become anxious. Allowing pauses can encourage them to share more without feeling pressured.

3. Do utilize open-ended questions

   • Open-ended questions encourage witnesses and victims to provide more detailed accounts of their experiences without leading them in a specific direction. Questions such as “Can you describe what happened?” facilitate richer narratives and may yield key information that closed questions would miss.

4. Don’t use confrontational or accusatory language

   • Using a confrontational tone can shut down communication and make witnesses or victims defensive. Instead, maintain a neutral, empathetic demeanor and language that fosters trust. A supportive approach encourages more truthful and comprehensive responses.

5. Do be aware of non-verbal cues

   • Pay attention to body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, as these can provide significant insights into the interviewee's feelings and honesty. Non-verbal cues can often reveal underlying emotions and concerns that words alone might not convey.

Interviewing Techniques

1. Cognitive Interviewing

   • This technique involves prompting the interviewee to recall details by using various memory retrieval techniques such as context reinstatement and varied retrieval. By asking them to visualize the scene and describe their thoughts and feelings during the incident, interviewers can elicit more accurate and comprehensive information.

2. The PEACE Model (Preparation, Engage, Explain, Account, Closure, and Evaluate)

   • The PEACE model emphasizes a structured approach to interviews that prioritizes ethical considerations and rapport building. It encourages interviewers to prepare adequately, engage with the interviewee positively, and allow them to provide their account in a coherent manner while ensuring that all questions are answered and any additional concerns are addressed.

3. Active Listening Techniques

   • Utilizing active listening involves giving full attention to the interviewee, acknowledging their statements, and providing feedback. This technique helps in building trust and encourages the victim or witness to share more detailed information. Techniques such as paraphrasing and summarizing their accounts can help ensure understanding and keep the conversation focused.

Step 2: Moderator-Curated Question Creation

Question 1:

How can interviewers build trust with witnesses and victims during the interview process?

Response: Building trust starts with creating a safe and welcoming environment where the interviewee feels valued and respected. Interviewers should demonstrate empathy by actively listening and showing genuine concern for the emotional state of the victim or witness. Being transparent about the process, ensuring confidentiality, and encouraging open dialogue can significantly enhance trust. Ultimately, a trusting relationship allows individuals to feel comfortable sharing their experiences, leading to more thorough and accurate accounts.

Question 2:

What role do non-verbal cues play in the interviewing process of victims and witnesses?

Response: Non-verbal cues are an integral part of the interviewing process, as they can often reveal more than verbal communication. Observing body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice can help interviewers gauge the comfort level of the witness or victim and identify any signs of distress or reluctance to share information. By paying attention to these cues, interviewers can adjust their approach, providing reassurance or support when needed. Additionally, interviewers can use their own body language to convey attentiveness and empathy, further facilitating an open dialogue.

Question 3:

What are some common challenges faced during interviews with victims and witnesses, and how can they be addressed?

Response: Common challenges include emotional distress, memory inconsistencies, and the potential for fear of repercussions from sharing information. To address these issues, interviewers must approach the situation with patience and sensitivity, allowing the individual to express their feelings and concerns. Techniques such as creating a structured yet flexible interview format can help facilitate the recounting of memories without overwhelming the interviewee. Additionally, providing support resources or referrals can empower victims and witnesses, reducing their stress associated with the interview process.

Step 3: Combined Document

Panel Discussion on Interviewing Techniques Used with Witnesses and Victims of a Crime

Interviewing 'Dos and Don'ts'

1. Do create a comfortable environment

   • Establish a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the interview by choosing a quiet location and ensuring privacy. Building rapport is essential for obtaining accurate and useful information.

2. Don’t rush the process

   • Patience is crucial; rushing can lead to incomplete information. Allow pauses to encourage the interviewee to share more without feeling pressured.

3. Do utilize open-ended questions

   • Open-ended questions encourage detailed accounts, facilitating richer narratives that uncover key information.

4. Don’t use confrontational or accusatory language

   • A supportive tone encourages communication, whereas a confrontational approach can shut it down.

5. Do be aware of non-verbal cues

   • Observe body language and tone of voice; these can reveal underlying emotions that words alone might not convey.

Interviewing Techniques

1. Cognitive Interviewing

   • This involves using memory retrieval techniques to elicit accurate and comprehensive information.

2. The PEACE Model

   • A structured approach focusing on ethical considerations and building rapport throughout the interviewing process.

3. Active Listening Techniques

   • Involves giving full attention, acknowledging statements, and providing feedback to promote trust and facilitate detailed sharing of information.

Moderator-Curated Questions

1. How can interviewers build trust with witnesses and victims during the interview process?

   • Building trust starts with creating a safe and welcoming environment where the interviewee feels valued and respected.

2. What role do non-verbal cues play in the interviewing process of victims and witnesses?

   • Non-verbal cues can reveal more than verbal communication, helping interviewers gauge comfort levels and adjust their approach accordingly.

3. What are some common challenges faced during interviews with victims and witnesses, and how can they be addressed?

   • Challenges include emotional distress and memory inconsistencies; addressing them requires patience and a structured approach while providing support resources to empower victims.

Answer 2

summarize that up

Answer 3

Summary of Panel Discussion on Interviewing Techniques Used with Witnesses and Victims of a Crime

Key Talking Points

Interviewing 'Dos and Don'ts'

1. Do create a comfortable environment: Establish a safe, private space to help interviewees feel at ease and promote open communication.
2. Don’t rush the process: Allow time for recollection to avoid incomplete information and unnecessary anxiety.
3. Do utilize open-ended questions: Encourage detailed narratives by asking questions that prompt expansive responses.
4. Don’t use confrontational language: Maintain a supportive tone to foster trust and openness.
5. Do be aware of non-verbal cues: Observe body language and tone to better understand the interviewee’s emotional state.

Interviewing Techniques

1. Cognitive Interviewing: Employ memory retrieval methods to elicit accurate and detailed accounts.
2. The PEACE Model: Follow a structured yet flexible approach emphasizing ethical practices and rapport building.
3. Active Listening Techniques: Engage fully with interviewees, acknowledge their statements, and provide feedback to encourage sharing.

Moderator-Curated Questions

1. Building Trust: Establishing a safe environment and demonstrating empathy are essential for gaining the trust of witnesses and victims.

2. Role of Non-Verbal Cues: Non-verbal communication can reveal emotional states and help interviewers adjust their approach to facilitate open dialogue.

3. Challenges in Interviews: Emotional distress and memory inconsistencies are common challenges that can be addressed through patience, structured approaches, and providing support resources.