Children with a disability are at high risk for victimization. Forensic interviewers well trained in their discipline may lack confidence when speaking with a child with a disability as it is unrealistic to expect that an interviewer be well versed in the impact of the wide variety of disabilities on a child’s behavioral, cognitive, linguistic, […]
Mastering the use of optimal questioning strategies and legally defensible social support requires additional training beyond an initial one-week class. This course deepens interviewers’ understanding of the why and how of effective questioning strategies and the provision of sensitive and targeted social support. Opportunities for practice are provided. This training is highly recommended as the […]
Trauma can affect children mentally and physically, even when they haven't been physically hurt themselves. The session focuses on conducting interviews that consider the child's emotional state and working closely with investigators for a thorough and compassionate approach. This training is recommended for forensic interviewers at any level who wish to increase their ability to […]
Forensic interviewers and multi-disciplinary partners recognize the shortcomings of strict adherence to a “one and done” interview approach. Research provides some clarification of reasons why a child may need more than one interview and limited recommendations for implementation, leaving forensic interviewers and their investigative partners with little clarity about how to apply this information to […]
Children with neuro-divergent disorders such as ASD are at an increased risk of child maltreatment. This population presents challenges for forensic interviewers as there is great variability in functioning including unique memory and cognitive processes, linguistic style, understanding and expression of emotions, and forming connections with others. Many of these children can provide information about […]
This one-day course is an introduction to a supervision model for forensic interviewers beginning with a review of basic principles of supervision and offering strategies for developing an effective supervision process which can be tailored to the resources of the child advocacy center and community. This training is recommended for experienced forensic interviewers and executive […]
Expand your knowledge beyond the basics of forensic interviewing. This training deepens interviewers’ understanding of how and why effective questioning strategies work, along with delivering sensitive and targeted social support. Highly recommended as primary follow-up for interviewers seeking to update and enhance their skills. This training is highly recommended as the first follow-up training for […]
Recantation by a child or adolescent of child maltreatment allegations may occur for many reasons and can have significant implications for child protection, police investigation, and prosecution. Recantation may result from external pressure from an alleged offender or family or may develop from internal reasons such as protection of self or others. Child witnesses may […]
Children with a disability are at high risk for victimization. Forensic interviewers well trained in their discipline may lack confidence when speaking with a child with a disability as it is unrealistic to expect that an interviewer be well versed in the impact of the wide variety of disabilities on a child’s behavioral, cognitive, linguistic, […]
Forensic interviewers encounter a variety of forms of reluctance in child witnesses. Forensic interviewers are challenged to adopt a single strategy as reluctance is often the result of a complex interaction of factors including external and internal influences. This training offers an opportunity to do a deep dive into possible sources of reluctance and provides […]
Receiving a subpoena for court testimony often sparks anxiety for forensic interviewers. Every action of the forensic interviewer may be reviewed under microscope for any errors resulting in a less than perfect interview. Given that there is no perfect interview, potential errors of omission and/or commission will be identified by the prosecution and the defense […]
Forensic interviewers often focus much attention on strategies for interviewing reluctant children. Alternatively, there are also skills to be developed and generously applied when interviewing a highly narrative child. The use of invitations, breadth and depth questions, open and specific ‘wh-’ questions and limited use of option posing questions provides a framework for understanding and […]
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