The NICHD investigative interview protocol: an analogue study | JoVE Visualize

Area of Science:

Child Psychology
Forensic Interviewing
Developmental Science

Background:

Effective interviewing of children is crucial for gathering accurate information in legal and clinical settings.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Investigative Interview Protocol is a widely used method for interviewing children.
Understanding how different prompting strategies affect children's recall and accuracy is essential for improving investigative techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of different prompting styles (invitational vs. directive) on the detail and accuracy of children's accounts.
To assess the effect of preparatory practice (with or without practice) on children's responsiveness during NICHD interviews.
To determine how the order of questioning (true vs. false event) influences accuracy in children's testimony.

Main Methods:

One hundred twenty-eight children aged 5-7 years were interviewed using the NICHD Protocol.
Children received preparation using either invitational or directive prompting, with or without practice describing events.
Interviews assessed recall of a staged event occurring 4-6 weeks prior, with variations in prompt type and questioning order.

Main Results:

Invitational prompts elicited more detailed responses than directive prompts without compromising accuracy.
Preparation including practice with invitation prompts led to the most responsive and detailed accounts.
Children demonstrated high overall accuracy, with errors typically concerning peripheral details and more frequent with directive/yes-no questions.

Conclusions:

The method of preparation and prompting significantly influences the detail and quality of children's accounts in NICHD interviews.
Invitational interviewing techniques and practice-based preparation are recommended for maximizing detailed and accurate information from child witnesses.
Careful consideration of questioning strategies is vital to minimize errors and ensure the reliability of information obtained from children.