Communication Component of Child Interrogation Tactics
Abstract
Abstract. This article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the communication component of the interrogation tactics of minors who participate in criminal proceedings as victims. It emphasizes that a child is a particularly vulnerable participant in the criminal process; therefore, any investigative action, including interrogation, requires the creation of a safe psychological environment and the use of adapted communication methods. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to implement child-friendly justice standards in Ukraine and to ensure psychological safety, preventing secondary traumatization of minors. The article reveals that the effectiveness of child interrogation largely depends on the quality of communication between the investigator and the minor, which, in turn, requires mastery of special tactical techniques, deep psychological knowledge, the ability to establish contact, and adaptation of language constructions according to the age and emotional characteristics of the child. Modern approaches to the organization of minor interrogations in European and global practice are highlighted, including the use of special interview rooms, participation of child psychologists, and employment of neutral or play-based communication methods. It is shown that domestic practice, despite positive progress, still lacks systematization and a unified comprehensive approach to determining the role of communication in the interrogation tactics of minors. The scientific novelty lies in the attempt to comprehensively study the structure of the communication process during child interrogation, taking into account the peculiarities of various types of criminal offenses, such as domestic violence, bullying, and crimes against sexual freedom and sexual inviolability. The practical significance of the study consists in formulating proposals to improve investigator algorithms, determining optimal methods of verbal and non-verbal interaction with minors, and providing recommendations for forming a long-term communication strategy within pre-trial proceedings. It is emphasized that forming an appropriate communication culture is a necessary condition for enhancing the effectiveness of investigative (search) actions and ensuring the rights of children in criminal proceedings.
Keywords: minors; psychological contact; justice; domestic violence; criminal offense; martial law.
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References
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