In general, parents (or other relatives and caregivers) should not be present during the interview.
A lawyer (hired by the parent) also can refuse an interview on a child's behalf. Children themselves can refuse to be questioned and can also request that a lawyer or a parent be present during any questioning.
Steps in the Court Process – After the forensic interview and investigation, the Prosecutor will decide if criminal charges will be filed and if the case should go through the criminal court system. Because every case is different, not every case follows the same steps, which may or may not result in a trial.
The recording of the interview will be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The forensic interviewer will complete a written summary report following the interview. Listed agencies involved in the investigation will receive a copy of the report.
It is a key component of many child protective services investigations. The purpose of these interviews is to gather factual information in a legally defensible and developmentally appropriate manner about whether a child (or other person) has been abused (Newlin et al., 2015).
between 20-60 minutesHow long will the interview take? The length of the interview depends on your child and how much they want to talk. Most interviews take between 20-60 minutes, though some do last longer. If your child needs a break or does not wish to continue, the interviewer will respond accordingly.
Despite these practices designed to assess for potential deception in forensic interviews, the court ruled that information gathered during forensic interviews cannot be used to prove the truth of that information.
PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEWTell your child she/he will be visiting a safe place to talk with a person whose job it is to talk with kids and young adults.Be sure your child is fed and well rested.Give your child permission to talk about anything with the interviewer.More items...
The forensic evaluation is a medical exam for the assessment of suspected child physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect. It is requested by DCFS or law enforcement in cases where a medical exam may be helpful in assessing whether or not abuse or neglect has occurred and the extent of any injuries.
The Cornerhouse Forensic Interview Protocol known as RATAC (Rapport, Anatomy Identification, Touch Inquiry, Abuse Scenario, and Closure) is a semi-structured non-directive questioning process for use with alleged victims of child sexual abuse.
The interview is conducted in a confidential manner, with only the interviewer and the individual in the room. This helps preserve the integrity of the interview and bolster the credibility of the information provided.
The ChildFirst® Forensic Interview Protocol brings the field into the classroom, enhancing the education of front-line child abuse professionals. This course is designed for investigative teams of law enforcement officers, social workers, prosecutors, child protection attorneys and forensic interviewers.
Properly conducted forensic interviews are legally sound in part because they ensure the interviewer's objectivity, employ non-leading techniques, and emphasize careful documentation of the interview.
Forensic interviews are utilized to obtain information from a vulnerable adult about abuse allegations that will support accurate and fair decision making by a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
Forensic interviewers typically work in an office setting. They may travel to a courthouse to testify in court or to provide information to court officials. Though, they typically work in an enclosed office that allows for private interviews with victims.
The NICHD protocol is based on research into children's development of cognitive and communicative abilities and questioning techniques that enhance children's capacities to provide accurate information about their past experiences.