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Preparation and Adaptations for Interviewing Children with a Disability
Virtual TrainingChildren 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,…
Critical Thinking in the Forensic Interview: moving from rote to responsive practice
National Children's Advocacy Center Training Facility 210 Pratt Avenue NE, Training Building, Huntsville, AL, United StatesEffective forensic interviewers must possess a broad repertoire of skills. Additionally, forensic interviewers should develop a critical thinking framework to accommodate the needs of the child and the investigative team, especially in highly complex cases. This training focuses on preparing interviewers to make thoughtful decisions throughout the entirety of the interview. Suggestions for engaging with…
Interviewing Children on the Autism Spectrum
Virtual TrainingChildren 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…
Supervision of Child Forensic Interviewers
National Children's Advocacy Center Training Facility 210 Pratt Avenue NE, Training Building, Huntsville, AL, United StatesThe role of the forensic interviewer within the CAC continues to evolve, calling for a greater level of competence and skill. Limited opportunities for peer review are no longer sufficient to meet this goal. Long recognized in medicine and mental health, supervision is an established relationship between a senior practitioner and junior colleague(s) focused on…
Increasing Skill in Forensic Interviewing of Children
Virtual TrainingMastering 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…
Interviewing Children who Identify as LGBTQ
Virtual TrainingForensic interviewers often encounter children who identify as having a sexual orientation and/or gender identity (e.g. transgender or non-binary) that is marginalized. These children are at high risk for all forms of maltreatment and other adversities and traumas for being who they are authentically. Additionally, these children may present with mental health issues possibly because…
More Than One Interview: When, Why, and How
Virtual TrainingForensic 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…
Introduction to Supervision for Child Forensic Interviewers
Virtual TrainingThis 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…
