Week 1

DQ 1

What are the key components of communication? How do these key components affect the process of communication and its overall effectiveness? How might you improve the use of these key components of effective communication?

DQ 2

What are the components of nonverbal communication in the criminal justice system? How are these similar or different from the components of verbal communication? Is there a better solution to the integration of effective verbal and nonverbal communication within the criminal justice system?

DQ 3

What barriers impact effective communication within the criminal justice system? What actions lead to ineffective communication among criminal justice professionals? How can these barriers be overcome? What suggestions would you recommend?

Week 2

DQ 1

What are effective writing principles for criminal justice professionals in their respective communications? How does this apply to courts, police, and corrections? What distinctions can be made about the various criminal justice entities and the manner in which they prepare their written communications?

DQ 2

What is persuasive writing? What role does persuasive writing play in the criminal justice system? How well does persuasive writing meet the criteria of effective communication within the criminal justice system? Explain.

DQ 3

What is an example of fact-based report writing? How does this affect the initiative(s) of effective communication within the criminal justice system? What would happen if an emphasis was not placed on fact-based report writing among criminal justice 
professionals? Explain. 

Week 3

DQ 1

What are the components of an effective interview? How does an interview differ from an interrogation within criminal justice? How would you handle conducting each, an interview and an interrogation? Explain.             

DQ 2

What are effective techniques for interviewing a person within the criminal justice system? How do these techniques affect overall communication within the criminal justice system?

DQ 3

What is considered an admissible statement within the criminal justices system? How do admissible statements affect the overall criminal justice process? Is there a better solution to ensuring that statements that are acquired are admissible? Explain.

Week 4

DQ 1

What is an example of technology that has impacted the criminal justice system? How does this technological advancement enhance/challenge the effectiveness of communication(s) within the various areas of the criminal justice system? What would happen if most/all methods of communication within the criminal justice system were paperless? Explain the overall impact.

DQ 2

Give an example of a new technological advancement that has increased the effectiveness of communication within the criminal justice system. How would the criminal justice system react if this new technology was removed effective immediately? What recommendations would you make for this new technology’s replacement? Explain.

DQ 3

What databases are used in the various areas of the criminal justice system? How do these databases impact the overall communication efforts within the criminal justice system? How well do these databases meet the criteria set forth by criminal justice organizations with regard to effective and efficient communication?

Week 5

DQ 1

What are some examples of ways law enforcement professionals may effectively communicate with individuals who have visual and hearing impairments? How did the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) impact law enforcement, particularly in relation to victims of crimes? Is there a better solution to the way in which law enforcement and criminal justice professionals communicate with individuals who are protected by ADA?

DQ 2

What type of challenges do criminal justice professionals face when attempting to communicate with people who have language barriers? How does this barrier impact the overall effectiveness of communication among al parties involved? What methods would you suggest for effectively communicating with these groups?

DQ 3

What is an example of a communication strategy within the criminal justice system when dealing with a special situation? How do the dynamics of the situation affect the overall communication style/method among those involved? What recommendations would you suggest to improve communication within the criminal justice system when dealing with critical incidents, emergencies, and/or conflict situations?