Interview a witness
Role-play interviewing a witness with a partner, prepare clear questions, take notes, and practice active listening to gather accurate, respectful information.
Step-by-step guide to interview a witness
INTERVIEWING VICTIMS AND WITNESSES PART 1 EMPATHY
Step 1
Find a partner and tell them you will role-play an interviewer and a witness.
Step 2
Choose who will be the interviewer and who will be the witness.
Step 3
Decide on a simple scene for the role-play and agree on three basic facts about the witness (where when what).
Step 4
Write six short clear questions on index cards or paper one question per card.
Step 5
Sit facing each other with your paper pencil and index cards ready.
Step 6
Practice three active-listening signals like nodding making eye contact and saying "I see".
Step 7
The interviewer asks the first prepared question aloud.
Step 8
The interviewer waits quietly while the witness answers so they can listen carefully.
Step 9
The interviewer writes down the witness's main points after each answer.
Step 10
The interviewer asks one follow-up question to clarify a detail from the notes.
Step 11
Continue asking your remaining questions one at a time using quiet listening and note-taking.
Step 12
Swap roles so the witness becomes the interviewer and repeat steps 7 to 11.
Step 13
Compare your notes with your partner to find any differences.
Step 14
Write down one thing you did well and one question you would change for next time.
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of index cards, paper, or a pencil if we don't have them?
Use sticky notes or a notebook instead of index cards, a tablet or phone notes app instead of paper, and a crayon or marker if you don't have a pencil so you can still write the six prepared questions and take notes as in steps 4 and 9.
What should we do if the interviewer keeps interrupting the witness or talking too much during the role-play?
Remind the interviewer to follow step 8 by counting silently to three after each question, practice the active-listening signals from step 6, and place their pencil down while the witness speaks to avoid interrupting and to help them write only main points as in step 9.
How can we change the activity for younger children or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger children, reduce to three very simple questions and use picture prompts for the scene, while for older kids add more detailed note-taking, a two-minute silent summary after each answer, or require five follow-up questions to increase difficulty as you repeat steps 4â11.
How can we improve or personalize the role-play to make it more fun or more useful to share on DIY.org?
Add simple props and costumes for your chosen scene, record the interview on a phone to review accuracy when you compare notes in step 13, and create a short written or recorded summary to upload as your finished creation on DIY.org as directed in the final step.
Watch videos on how to interview a witness
Child Interview: Isabella's Bruise
4 Videos
Child Interview: Isabella's Bruise
Interviewing the Witness, a crime scene investigation.
Effective Witness Interviews: Crafting the Right Questions for Truthful Insights
How to interview child witnesses?
Facts about interviewing and communication skills for kids
𤍠A short pause after asking a question often gives the other person space to add important details they might not say right away.
đ¤ Active listeningânodding, making eye contact, and summarizing what someone saidâbuilds trust and encourages people to share more.
đŁď¸ Open-ended questions (who, what, when, where, why, how) usually get richer, more detailed answers than yes/no questions.
đ Role-playing is a safe way to practice tough conversations so you feel calmer and more confident in real situations.
đ Writing notes by hand often helps your brain remember details better than typing them on a device.
How do I run a role-play 'interview a witness' activity with my child?
What materials do I need for a witness interview role-play at home?
What ages is the witness interview role-play suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for doing witness interview role-plays with kids?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required