Library

17 results found

Forensic Interviews: Capacity building and quality assurance framework for CYACs

What is it. Information obtained from children and youth is often the sole piece of evidence in police investigations of child abuse. This framework identifies key forensic interviewing practices to ensure legally sound, trauma-informed information gathering methods. It offers practical guidance to build interviewer capacity and improve the quality and consistency of forensic interviews across jurisdictions. How can it help me? Currently, Canada does not have a national governing body…
- Forensic Interviews
- Tool/Template
March 18, 2026
Children and the justice system in Canada: Developmental considersations for enhancing evidence

What is it. Child disclosure is the cornerstone of child abuse cases. This report outlines key development considerations for collecting evidence from children including executive functioning skills, language development, memory processes and impact of stress on memory, and how they shape the quality of a disclosure. It examines common challenges children face when providing evidence and identifies the unique role of CYACs to improving their experiences within the justice system. How can it help me? CYACs play…
- Forensic Interviews,
- Victim Advocacy and Support Services
- Report
January 1, 2026
Boosting Best Practice in CYACs: Evidence updates and implications to strengthen forensic interviewing

What is it. This document is a rapid evidence synthesis that summarizes new research on forensic interviewing between 2018-2024. A rapid evidence synthesis uses a quick yet rigorous approach to identify, review, and synthesize the most relevant research on a specific topic. This synthesis was completed in four phases: developing the search strategy, retrieving, and screening relevant literature, extracting and synthesizing key findings, and contextualizing the evidence with practical considerations. The search strategy was…
- Forensic Interviews
- Evidence updates
December 16, 2025
Quality assurance in child forensic interviews

What is it. This webinar explored the role of quality assurance in maintaining the integrity of child forensic interviews. Quality assurance involves systematic processes used to ensure that services (e.g., forensic interviews) meet established standards and deliver consistent, reliable outcomes. Dr. Sarah MacDonald provided clear, practical recommendations to assess the quality of child forensic interviews through three key…
- Forensic Interviews
- Webinar
December 3, 2025
Effective monitoring of child forensic interviews

What is it. This webinar examines how interview monitors can strengthen the quality of child forensic interviews. Dr. Cassidy Biener and Dr. Heather Price share new research that clarifies the monitor’s role and why it is essential to both interview quality and the child’s experience. They outline strategies for strengthening the partnership between interviewers and…
- Forensic Interviews
- Webinar
November 18, 2025
Trauma-informed justice in child abuse cases

What is it. Trauma-informed practice is essential for promoting healing and minimizing re-traumatization. In Canada, changes to the Criminal Code, Canada Evidence Act, and Victims Bill of Rights aim to better support children and youth involved in the criminal justice system. However, significant gaps remain in how these practices are implemented, particularly by legal actors…
- Article
October 12, 2025
The role of support dogs in CYACs

What is it. This webinar explores the role of facility dogs in CYACs and how they can provide emotional support to children and youth. Facility dogs are specially trained to offer comfort, assist with emotional regulation, and help create a sense of security. This can be especially useful during high-stress situations such as forensic interviews…
- Child-Focused Setting,
- Forensic Interviews
- Webinar
September 23, 2025
Questioning the expertise of “experts” who recommend active hypothesis testing in child forensic interviews

What is it. Despite advances in the field, the judicial system continues to accept testimony from experts who recommend practices that do not align with best practice protocols in forensic interviews. This article provides a summary of best practices and techniques in child forensic interviews. It spotlights the need to educate judges and prosecutors to…
- Article
August 22, 2025
Investigative interviewers peer feedback on a child forensic interview

What is it. Forensic interviewing with children is complex and requires specialized knowledge. Interviewers often struggle to follow best practices due to limited training, and lack of feedback. Addressing these barriers is essential to maintain the integrity of the interview and protect the well-being of the child. This study examined the quality and structure of peer feedback and whether training…
- Forensic Interviews
- Article Summary
January 22, 2025
Department of Justice: Review of forensic interviewing methods for vulnerable victims

What is it. Forensic interviewing is a process in which a trained interviewer gathers information from a victim, witness, or person of interest in relation to a crime. The goal is to collect sufficient information and evidence for a successful prosecution while simultaneously protecting the child and/or youth’s psychological and emotional safety by avoiding re-traumatization.…
- Child-Focused Setting,
- Forensic Interviews
- Article
December 1, 2024