Self-Reported Current Practices in Child Forensic Interviewing: Training, Tools, and Pre-Interview Preparation.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Child Protection Studies
• Investigative Interviewing

Background:

• Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) utilize forensic interviewers as neutral fact-finders in child sexual abuse investigations.
• Empirical evidence informs best practices, yet no universal protocol exists for forensic interviews.
• Variability in current practices necessitates research into interviewer preparation and techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the training and current practices of child forensic interviewers.
• To examine the information interviewers review before conducting forensic interviews.
• To identify variations in protocols and preparation methods.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of real-world child forensic interviewers.
• Data collection focused on interviewer training and pre-interview preparation.
• Analysis of reported practices and reviewed information.

Main Results:

• Significant lack of uniformity in adopted interviewing protocols and pre-interview preparation practices.
• Most interviewers do not follow a universally adopted protocol.
• Rare instances of allegation-blind interviewing were reported, indicating a need for further study.

Conclusions:

• Current practices among child forensic interviewers are highly variable.
• There is a lack of standardization in training and pre-interview preparation.
• Further research is needed on under-studied techniques and their impact on investigations.