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Child Forensic Interview

Child Forensic Interview. Margrét Kristín Magnúsdóttir Psychologist and Forensic Interviewer 31. maí 2012. Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is.

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Child Forensic Interview

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  1. Child Forensic Interview • Margrét Kristín Magnúsdóttir • Psychologist and Forensic Interviewer • 31. maí 2012 Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  2. What is a Child Forensic Interview ?Forensic interview is a formal, structured interview technique, that is used to investigate whether a child has experienced or witnessed physical or sexual abuse and if so, to get disclosure. 2 Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  3. If a child discloses ...... assist the child in providing sufficient narrative detailed information: - on the nature and extend of the abuse, including those responsible- sufficient details of the event to allow the CPS or the LE to takeappropriate action 3 Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  4. The goal of the child forensic interview to get maximum informationwhile causing minimum stress and contamination Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  5. Child Forensic Interview • The importance of a “child friendly” settings • Specially designed interview room • The specialized interviewer: a psychologist or a similar education • NICHD protocol Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  6. Forensic vs. Therapeutic Interviewing • expression of emotions in a nurturing environment • advocate who assumes the child is telling the truth • subjective interpretations accepted • nonspecific accounts of abuse are sufficient • the credibility of the child is not questioned • how information is obtained is not of concern • the goal is discovering the truth, the facts • objective standpoint • alternative explanations are explored • obtaining corroborating details is imperative • establishing the child’s competency is a concern • the way information is acquired is strictly governed Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  7. Interview Stages • Introduction • Rapport: • - developmental assessment • - competence assessment • - ground rules • Transitioning to a topic of concern • Detail gathering and corroboration one event at a time • Closure Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  8. Introduction • Interviewer introduce him-/herself and people present • Explain the documentation (video/dvd recorded, notes taking) • Have child introduce him-/herself; name, age, where they live, with whom, school, grade, friend .. • Practice narrative 8 Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  9. Rapport building • Developmental assessment • - age dependent (time, date, soft/hard, smaller/bigger) • - body parts inventory • Competence assessment • - difference between truth and lie • Ground rules • - if I ask you the same question more than once • - if you don’t know the answer • - if you don’t understand the question • - correct me if I’m wrong Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  10. Transitioning to the topic of concern • “Tell me why you are here today talking to me ?” • open-ended invitation • use the child words • followed by focused follow-up questions • “ ... tell me all about that” • “ ... tell me everything about that from the beginning to the end” Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  11. Gather details and corroboration • “did (this) happen one time or more than one time ?” • focus on one event at a time (last, first, most memorable, worst, etc.) • who, what, where, how, ... when (young children can’t answer that) • five senses • what was said • how it started, how it ended .................. Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  12. Corroboration • computers • cameras • phones • force or coercion • bribes • clothing • other things from the child’s narrative 12 Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  13. Once you have details on individual events ... • be sure to clarify details between different events • ask any follow up questions necessary for you to understand what happened • ask the child if there is something you forgot to ask or something else they want to talk about • transition to closure Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  14. Closure • maintain trust and rapport with the child • neutral topic (cool down) Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  15. What makes a good interview Does the interviewer put the child at ease ? Warm and friendly presence Strong presence that shows „you can tell me anything and I can handle it“ „tell me …“ vs. „can you tell me …“ „everything“ vs. „a little bit“ Gentle persistence – knowing when to push as well as knowing when to stop Pacing – allowing for silences Use of developmentally appropriate language Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

  16. There is no such thing as a perfect interview! • Thank you  • MargrétKristínMagnúsdóttir • Psychologist and Forensic Interviewer Barnahús – The Children´s House · www.bvs.is

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