Child Forensic Interview Model
The National Children's Advocacy Center has developed a Child Forensic Interview Model, which is forensically sound, flexible, and may be used by a variety of professionals including law enforcement, social workers, and child interview specialists. This interview model can be adapted for children of different ages and cultural backgrounds. The model can be used when questioning children who are suspected to be victims of sexual or physical abuse, as well as children who have witnessed violence perpetrated on another person.
Recognizing that engaging children in conversation about traumatic events is a weighty and complex undertaking, we offer a structure or framework for the conversation and are careful to avoid a "cookbook" approach. Simplified models may be easily taught, but often do not meet the developmental needs of the child or encourage description of the complexity of their life experiences. We encourage a strategic/thinking approach, which incorporates knowledge of child development, the intricacies of children's cognition, and the impact of trauma on memory.
Children are best able to communicate about personal experiences by allowing them to explain in their own words and communication style and by exploring their most salient memories about abuse incidents. Consequently, we recommend the use of narrative prompts and requests for complete description. The NCAC Child Forensic Interview Model encourages the child to provide in depth responses throughout the interview and allows the interviewer to adapt forensic questions to the conversational strengths, cultural needs, and developmental level of the child. Strategies and techniques for working with reluctant children are provided. The model recommends the use of free drawings, anatomical drawings, anatomical dolls, and touch inquiries as needed.
The NCAC offers a five-day course on Basic Child Forensic Interviewing, as well as follow-up courses focusing on special issues. The bulk of the training focuses on skill development, while providing supporting knowledge in the form of written material and discussion. Further information about this training is available here.