Forensic Interviewing

1
Forensic Interviewing

• The RATAC Model

2
Principles of Interviewing

• Adhere to the Child First Doctrine
• The child is our first priority
• Not the needs of the family
• Not the childs story
• Not the needs of the court
• Not the needs of the police, child protection
  etc.
• Allow the competence of the child
• Interviewing is both an art and science

3
Process of Inquiry

• Question types
• Free recall?Narrative
• Focused recall?Focused/narrative
• Multiple choice?Selected
• Yes/no?Limited selected
• Misleading?Suggested from the interviewer

4
Process of Inquiry

• Enhancers and diminishers
• Age
• Ability
• Emotional trauma (diminisher)

5
Dynamics of Child Sexual Abuse

• Secrecy
• Helplessness
• Entrapment
• Delayed or unconvincing disclosure
• Retraction

6
Interviewing versus Interrogation

• Interviewing
• Meeting to obtain info
• Non-accusatory
• Conversation
• Victim talks
• Used with victim

• Interrogation
• Formally and systematically
• Intentionally accusatory
• Investigator dominates
• Use with suspect

7
It Starts With UsLook at Yourself

• Can I communicate with a child?
• Can I talk about S-E-X?
• Preconceived ideas
• Do you really want to know?
• Professional investigations contribute to
  treatment and enhance recovery.
• Ability to handle trauma
• Environment

8
CornerHouse Forensic Interview Process

• RATAC Model

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Rapport

• Face picture
• Build rapport
• Invite correction
• Clarify communication
• Enhance recall
• Family circles
• Assist with getting perps name on board

10
Anatomy ID

• Gender clarification
• Children under age 4 may not know
• Names of body parts
• Assist with identifying what child calls body
  parts

11
Touch Inquiry

• Positive touch first
• Allows interviewer to not be bias
• Clarifies childs perception of touch
• Do not say good or bad touch
• Followed by negative touch
• Allows interviewer to get child to identify how
  he/she was touched negatively

12
Abuse Scenario

• Details
• Let child tell what happen
• Gather details
• Listen for age appropriate language
• Anatomical dolls
• When child cannot say
• Only use after a disclosure
• Alternative hypothesis
• Allows interviewer to ask if anyone else

13
Closure

• Educate
• Tell child that he/she can go to adults
• Safety
• Opportunity to express to the child that he/she
  has someone in their lives who is willing to help
• Respectful end to interview (i.e., thank child
  for coming to talk with you)

14
Suggestibility How can interviewers be
suggestive in an interview

• Behavior
• Nodding
• Pointing
• Positioning

• Language
• Tag questions
• Arent they?
• Asking child to confirm statements
• Stereotyped questions
• Offering bribes or rewards

15
Questions