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 better understand these practices to inform expert testimony and decisions. There is an emphasis on interviewer neutrality and provides ways to increase interview effectiveness.
How can it help me?
Child forensic interviews are a core service offered to children and youth who receive support from CYACs. Without clear, widely adopted practices, unqualified expert testimony can undermine the quality of the evidence and compromise the model of CYACs. There is an urgent need for advocacy to ensure child forensic interviews follow consistent, evidence-based protocols. Education for judges and prosecutors can help to reduce the likelihood that unqualified professionals would be accepted as expert witnesses, that can possibly mislead a jury and have significant impact on outcomes.
