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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Children may witness situational or chronic violence in several ways including domestic violence in the home, living in a violent neighborhood, and/or witnessing an assault or murder of another person. Even when a child is not physically harmed, witnessing incidents of violence takes a toll on their body, heart, and mind. Memories may be fragmented, […]
Children exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors may be referred for a forensic interview. CAC forensic interviewers whose mission is to interview children about potential maltreatment they have experienced and not as offenders find themselves balancing their mandate with the goals of investigators and concerned parents. This training will provide information to help forensic interviewers distinguish normative […]
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 […]
Effective 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 […]
Forensic interviews of preschool children are challenging, calling for knowledge of early childhood developmental abilities and limitations, as well as strategies for developing rapport and maintaining engagement with a preschool witness. A nuanced ability to adapt questioning approaches and the interview protocol to the temperament and linguistic ability of each child is necessary. This training […]
Children exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors may be referred for a forensic interview. CAC forensic interviewers whose mission is to interview children about potential maltreatment they have experienced and not as offenders find themselves balancing their mandate with the goals of investigators and concerned parents. This training will provide information to help forensic interviewers distinguish normative […]
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 […]
Forensic interviewers often encounter children and adolescents who have a marginalized sexual orientation and/or gender identity (i.e., LGBQT+). These children and teens are at high risk for all forms of maltreatment and other adversities and traumas for being who they are authentically. As a result, they could present to the CAC, MDT, and/or FI with […]
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