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Instructions

Background

The aim of this assignment is to deepen your understanding of the purpose and strategies involved in establishing rapport, formulating pre-interview questions, and utilizing the cognitive interview technique in witness interviews. 

On the evening of February 3, 2023, in the quiet town of East Palestine, a catastrophic train derailment occurred, spilling hazardous materials and prompting an urgent response from emergency management teams.  The derailment led to evacuations and raised concerns about environmental and public health impacts.  As the dust settles, it's crucial to gather witness accounts to piece together the events leading to the disaster and to understand its immediate effects on the community.  As a member of the emergency management team, your task is to interview witnesses who were present near the derailment site.  Your objective is to gather valuable insights that can clarify the sequence of events, identify any warning signs or unusual activities, and assist in the ongoing investigation.   

Instructions

As part of your assignment for the East Palestine Train Derailment Response scenario, you will create a detailed question template tailored for three distinct groups: residents, local businesses, and the emergency response command center.   This template will guide your interviews, ensuring you gather comprehensive and relevant information for the investigation. 

The following sources offer you background information and details about the event: 

ABC 7 Chicago.  (2024, Jan. 25).   NTSB reveals cause of 2023 toxic train crash in East Palestine, Ohio [Video] .  YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N311VZeO5wk 

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2025, Jan. 22).   East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment .   https://www.epa.gov/east-palestine-oh-train-derailment/background 

WKYX Channel 3.  (2023, Feb. 6).  Ohio train derailment:   Explosion sparks the start of ‘controlled release’ in East Palestine  [Video].  YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJyHH8TiKCo 

Interview Locations 

Nearby Residential Areas: Residents may have seen or heard of the derailment happening and can offer insights into the immediate aftermath and response. 

Local Businesses: Employees and patrons in nearby businesses might have noticed anything unusual before the derailment or observed the community's initial reaction. 

 Emergency Response Command Center: First responders and officials may provide critical information on the derailment's impact and the coordination of emergency measures. 

Part 1 of the Assignment: 

In a 3 to 5-page research paper provide the following.

1. A brief overview of the significance of effective interviewing techniques

2. Explain why building rapport is critical in investigative interviews

3. Discuss the role of pre-interview questions in setting a baseline and gathering background information.

4. Analyze the cognitive interview technique and its importance in eliciting detailed and accurate witness accounts.  Describe the technique in detail.

5. Provide a conclusion summarizing the key points discussed in your paper and reflect on the impact of these techniques on the effectiveness of investigative interviews.  Describe how these interviewing techniques can be adapted for different scenarios in your future career in criminal justice. 

Remember: These strategies and techniques are also utilized in interrogations.

Length: 3 to 5 pages 

Resources: 4 scholarly sources (only use the sources provided in Module 1) 

Part 2 of the Assignment: 

Create a Detailed Question Template in the following detail. 

This template  is designed to guide interviews with witnesses from nearby residential areas, local businesses, and the emergency response command center, focusing on building rapport, formulating pre-interview questions, and utilizing cognitive interview techniques. 

Tailor your questions for three distinct groups: residents, local businesses, and the emergency response command center.  This template will guide your interviews, ensuring you gather comprehensive and relevant information for the investigation.  You can use the template provided or create your own. 

Submit both your research paper and question template in Brightspace. 

Skill Development

Specialized skills are developed throughout your program. They consistently show up on job descriptions and are important to highlight with employers. Here are the skills you can practice now:

Law, Regulation, and Compliance: Policy Enforcement, Statutory Interpretation, Statutory Law, Constitutional Law, Ethical Standards & Conduct, Human Rights Laws, International Laws, Immigration Law, Human Rights Laws, Compliance Requirements, Public Health Laws, Cybersecurity Compliance, Law Enforcement, Criminal Intelligence, Criminal Investigation