K8

EXTENDED FORENSIC INTERVIEWS

Presenters: Linda Cordisco Steele

Abstract Category: Interviewing

Instruction Level:

Presentation: Click Here

Description:       

The Extended Forensic Interview model, developed by the National Children’s Advocacy Center, offers a research-based, forensically defensible multiple session protocol which is appropriate for a subset of children who find the one-interview model too challenging.

Abstract:

Many young or reluctant children are not able to meet the demands of the one interview model for questioning children about allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or witnessing a violent crime.  Some children may be further traumatized by having an in depth conversation about difficult experiences with a person whom they have just met.  Other children may be willing and able to talk about their experiences; but it is difficult for the interviewer to gather the forensic details necessary to understand the child’s experience because of the child’s age or temperament, developmental disabilities, cultural differences, or the complexity of the alleged events.

This training presents a model designed to be used by experienced mental health practitioners who will receive additional education in forensic questioning.  This training strives to produce an interviewer with knowledge of child development and experience in working with traumatized children to question vulnerable or frightened children about potentially abusive experiences.  The Forensic Evaluation Model is research based.  Results have been published in Child Maltreatment.