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Côté É, Cyr M, Brillon P, Dion J, Daignault IV, Gendron A. Facility dogs during police investigative interviews: Does it decrease children's reluctance? CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 154:106949. [PMID: 39053220 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using facility dogs during police investigative interviews is a recent practice in Canada. While the common use of this intervention is decidedly an indicator of sympathy capital, its utility in this context is relatively unknown and no study has specifically evaluated the effect of using facility dogs on children's collaboration during investigative interviews. OBJECTIVE This study compares police investigative interviews conducted in the presence of a service dog (n = 46) to those without (n = 45) to examine the effects of the presence of and interactions with a dog on children's reluctance. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING AND METHODS The interviews were done with children aged 3 to 15 years and were coded for children's reluctance, their physical interactions with and comments about the dog, as well as for investigator's verbal support. RESULTS No significant group differences were found in terms of children's overall reluctance (p = 0.700), though the children accompanied by a dog showed significantly more digression (p = 0.008). Among the children who were accompanied by a dog, those who interacted with the dog more frequently (p = 0.035) and who made more comments about the dog (p < 0.001) showed more signs of reluctance, even after accounting for child age and investigator support. No association was observed between children's reluctance and the total duration of dog-child physical interactions (p = 0.097). CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to an enhanced understanding of the usefulness of facility dogs and the factors that influence children's reluctance during investigative interviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élie Côté
- Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal, Canada.
| | - Mireille Cyr
- Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal, Canada.
| | - Pascale Brillon
- Laboratoire de recherche Trauma et Résilience, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada.
| | - Jacinthe Dion
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada.
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Dianiska RE, Quas JA, Lyon TD. Using rapport building to improve information yield when interviewing adolescents: A systematic review and call for research. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 154:106898. [PMID: 38908231 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents frequently experience and witness violence and crime, yet very little research has been conducted to determine how best to question these witnesses to elicit complete and accurate disclosures. OBJECTIVE This systematic review integrated scientific research on rapport building with child and adult witnesses with theory and research on adolescent development in order to identify rapport building techniques likely to be effective with suspected adolescent victims and witnesses. METHOD Four databases were searched to identify investigations of rapport building in forensic interviewing of adolescents. RESULTS Despite decades of research of studies including child and adult participants, only one study since 1990 experimentally tested techniques to build rapport with adolescents. Most rapport strategies used with children and adults have yet to be tested with adolescents. Tests of these strategies, along with modifications based on developmental science of adolescence, would provide a roadmap to determining which approaches are most beneficial when questioning adolescent victims and witnesses. CONCLUSIONS There is a clear need for research that tests what strategies are best to use with adolescents. They may be reluctant to disclose information about stressful or traumatic experiences to adults due to both normative developmental processes and the types of events about which they are questioned in legal settings. Rapport building approaches tailored to address adolescents' motivational needs may be effective in increasing adolescents' reporting, and additional research testing such approaches will provide much-needed insight to inform the development of evidence-based practices for questioning these youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Dianiska
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, USA.
| | - Jodi A Quas
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, USA.
| | - Thomas D Lyon
- University of Southern California Gould School of Law, USA
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3
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Baugerud GA, Johnson MS, Dianiska R, Røed RK, Powell MB, Lamb ME, Hassan SZ, Sabet SS, Hicks S, Salehi P, Riegler MA, Halvorsen P, Quas J. Using an AI-based avatar for interviewer training at Children's Advocacy Centers: Proof of Concept. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2024:10775595241263017. [PMID: 38889731 DOI: 10.1177/10775595241263017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
This proof-of- concept study focused on interviewers' behaviors and perceptions when interacting with a dynamic AI child avatar alleging abuse. Professionals (N = 68) took part in a virtual reality (VR) study in which they questioned an avatar presented as a child victim of sexual or physical abuse. Of interest was how interviewers questioned the avatar, how productive the child avatar was in response, and how interviewers perceived the VR interaction. Findings suggested alignment between interviewers' virtual questioning approaches and interviewers' typical questioning behavior in real-world investigative interviews, with a diverse range of questions used to elicit disclosures from the child avatar. The avatar responded to most question types as children typically do, though more nuanced programming of the avatar's productivity in response to complex question types is needed. Participants rated the avatar positively and felt comfortable with the VR experience. Results underscored the potential of AI-based interview training as a scalable, standardized alternative to traditional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Saaed S Sabet
- Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering AS, Lysaker, Norway
| | - Steven Hicks
- Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering AS, Lysaker, Norway
| | - Pegah Salehi
- Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering AS, Lysaker, Norway
| | - Michael A Riegler
- Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering AS, Lysaker, Norway
| | - Pål Halvorsen
- Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering AS, Lysaker, Norway
| | - Jodi Quas
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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Karni-Visel Y, Hershkowitz I, Lamb ME, Blasbalg U. Nonverbal Emotions While Disclosing Child Abuse: The Role of Interviewer Support. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2023; 28:66-75. [PMID: 34964680 PMCID: PMC9806472 DOI: 10.1177/10775595211063497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Statements by alleged victims are important when child abuse is prosecuted; triers-of-fact often attend to nonverbal emotional expressions when evaluating those statements. This study examined the associations among interviewer supportiveness, children's nonverbal emotions, and informativeness during 100 forensic interviews with alleged victims of child abuse. Raters coded the silent videotapes for children's nonverbal emotional expressions while other raters coded the transcripts for interviewer support, children's verbal emotions, and informativeness. Results showed that children's nonverbal signals were more common than and preceded the verbal signs. Interviewer support was associated with children's expressivity. When children expressed more nonverbal emotions, they were more responsive during the pre-substantive phases and more informative about the abuse. Nonverbal emotions partially mediated the association between support and informativeness. The findings underline the value of nonverbal emotional expression during forensic interviews and demonstrate how the interviewers' supportive demeanor can facilitate children's emotional displays and increase informativeness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Karni-Visel
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Yael Karni-Visel, The Louis and Gabi
Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
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VanMeter F, Henderson H, Konovalov H, Karni-Visel Y, Blasbalg U. Children's Narrative Coherence in "Achieving Best Evidence" Forensic Interviews and Courtroom Testimony. PSYCHOLOGY, CRIME & LAW : PC & L 2021; 29:203-221. [PMID: 36949752 PMCID: PMC10027376 DOI: 10.1080/1068316x.2021.2018438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the United Kingdom, Section 27 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act permits "Achieving Best Evidence" (ABE) forensic interviews to replace the evidence-in-chief in cases involving children. It is therefore imperative that forensic interviewers elicit complete, reliable, and coherent narratives from children. The goal of the current research study was to assess the coherence of forensic interviews and whether the interviewers' emotional or cognitive support was associated with increases in the coherence of these interviews. Children's narrative coherence was examined in 80 transcripts of ABE investigative interviews with 7- to-15-year-olds who disclosed sexual abuse. Narrative coherence was assessed using the Narrative Coherence Coding Scheme, including three dimensions of narrative coherence: chronology, consistency, and theme (Reese et al., 2011). Findings revealed that first elicited events were more likely to be more coherent compared to subsequently elicited events, and child engagement was positively associated with all dimensions of narrative coherence. Interviewer support was positively associated with chronology, script accounts of abuse were associated with decreased consistency and chronology (but not theme), and cognitive support was not associated with any dimension of narrative coherence.
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Jefferson K, Stanhope KK, Jones-Harrell C, Vester A, Tyano E, Hall CDX. A scoping review of recommendations in the English language on conducting research with trauma-exposed populations since publication of the Belmont report; thematic review of existing recommendations on research with trauma-exposed populations. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254003. [PMID: 34324528 PMCID: PMC8321367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify recommendations for conducting public health research with trauma-exposed populations. METHODS Researchers searched Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Open Grey, and Google Scholar for recommendations. Trauma that causes psychological impact was our exposure of interest and we excluded clinical articles on treating physical trauma. We reviewed titles and abstracts of 8,070 articles and full text of 300 articles. We analyzed recommendations with thematic analysis, generated questions from the existing pool of recommendations, and then summarized select gaps. RESULTS We abstracted recommendations from 145 articles in five categories: community benefit, participant benefit, safety, researcher well-being, and recommendations for conduct of trauma research. CONCLUSIONS Gold standards to guide the conduct of trauma-informed public health research do not yet exist. The literature suggests participation in trauma research is not inherently harmful, and current recommendations concern using research to benefit communities and participants, protecting participants and researchers from harm, and improving professional practice. As public health researchers increasingly analyze trauma as a determinant of health, gold standards for the conduct of trauma-informed public health research would be appropriate and timely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jefferson
- Independent Researcher, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kaitlyn K. Stanhope
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Carla Jones-Harrell
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Aimée Vester
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Emma Tyano
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Casey D. Xavier Hall
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Well-being, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Tamm A, Otzipka J, Volbert R. Assessing the Individual Interviewer Rapport-Building and Supportive Techniques of the R-NICHD Protocol. Front Psychol 2021; 12:659438. [PMID: 34366977 PMCID: PMC8333708 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.659438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of the rapport-building and supportive techniques formulated by the R-NICHD protocol is intended to support children and increase the quality of their statements as well as disclosures without possessing suggestive potential. While the effectiveness of the entire R-NICHD protocol for children who have actually experienced child sexual abuse (CSA) has been supported by research, to date no study assessed the effect of each individual socio-emotional interview technique in both interviewees with and without CSA experiences. The current study aimed to address this gap in research by means of an online vignette-study, asking participants to rate the identified rapport-building and supportive techniques on the scales well-being, willingness to talk, and perceived pressure. A total of 187 participants were randomly assigned to either a hypothetical “abused” or a hypothetical “not abused” group by means of a vignette-manipulation. The results suggest that many socio-emotional interview techniques were perceived as supportive and non-suggestive, while a number of techniques were perceived as not supportive but suggestive. Few differences emerged between the hypothetical “abused” group and the hypothetical “not abused” control group. To conclude, most but not all rapport-building and supportive techniques proposed by the R-NICHD protocol had a positive effect on interviewees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anett Tamm
- Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Otzipka
- Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renate Volbert
- Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Broaddus-Shea ET, Scott K, Reijnders M, Amin A. A review of the literature on good practice considerations for initial health system response to child and adolescent sexual abuse. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 116:104225. [PMID: 31711682 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers play an important role in responding to the needs of the millions of children and adolescents who experience sexual abuse around the globe. A supportive child and adolescent-centered initial response is crucial for the physical and emotional wellbeing of survivors. OBJECTIVE In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) published clinical guidelines for responding to child and adolescent sexual abuse. The review described in this paper informed the development of good practice statements on how best to deliver health care to survivors. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING This review examined the values and preferences of children and adolescents who were sexually abused, and of their caregivers and healthcare workers, regarding: 1) initial response to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused; and 2) obtaining medical history, conducting physical examination, and documenting examination findings. METHODS Searches were conducted in Scopus, Pubmed, and the WHO's Global Index Medicus (1 January, 1995-15 July 2016). All articles in English that indicated preferences of survivors, caregivers and/or healthcare workers in ensuring empathetic and trauma-informed care were included. RESULTS Sixty-two articles were included and analyzed thematically. Key findings included the importance of providing care to survivors in a manner that respects the child or adolescent's autonomy and wishes, ensures privacy and confidentiality, and makes services and facilities appropriate and welcoming. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate how evidence-based recommendations can be delivered in a child or adolescent-centred and trauma-informed manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena T Broaddus-Shea
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Kerry Scott
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Megin Reijnders
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | - Avni Amin
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
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9
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Henderson HM, Cho SJ, Nogalska AM, Lyon TD. Identifying novel forms of reluctance in commercially sexually exploited adolescents. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 115:104994. [PMID: 33640734 PMCID: PMC8026589 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.104994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has largely overlooked expressions of reluctance in commercially sexually exploited adolescent ("CSEA") victims. This is problematic because gaining information from known victims is of the utmost importance in order to better serve the needs of current and potential future victims. OBJECTIVE The current study proposes a novel conceptualization of reluctance based on CSEA victims' transcripts from police interviews and courtroom examinations. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING The study examined police interviews (n = 8 victims, 1558 utterances) and courtroom transcripts (n = 6 victims, 1961 utterances) conducted with female CSEA victims aged 15-17 years old (Mage = 16.29). The victims were associated with the same trafficker and were thus interviewed by the same group of police officers, and for those who testified, were questioned by the same lawyers in court. RESULTS Sixteen reluctance tactics were identified, including several that have been overlooked in previous literature. The current reluctance measure identified more reluctance than previous studies' reluctance measures. Reluctance was much more common in police interviews (26.4%; p < .001) than in court (5.5%), and if victims were more reluctant in the police interviews, they were less likely to appear in court (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS These findings have implications for future conceptualizations of reluctance, and illustrate the importance of considering the age of the victim and the circumstances under which the victim is questioned in identifying reluctance.
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10
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Lavoie J, Wyman J, Crossman AM, Talwar V. Meta-analysis of the effects of two interviewing practices on children's disclosures of sensitive information: Rapport practices and question type. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 113:104930. [PMID: 33454643 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.104930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE The forensic interview is an important part of the investigative process with child witnesses, and ensuring evidence-based practices is crucial to its success. This meta-analysis examined the overall effect of rapport practices and question type on children's disclosures during forensic interviews to determine (a) how large of an influence existing practices have on children's tendency to disclose information, and (b) how consistent the effect sizes of interviewing practices are across studies, given that inconsistent results have been found. METHOD A systematic review of child interviewing practices was conducted, and 35 studies met the inclusion criteria. Articles were categorized thematically according to interviewing practice. Two practices were predominantly represented in the literature and were selected for review and meta-analysis: rapport techniques, including interviewer support, (n = 9), and question type (n = 25 samples, 23 studies). Random-effects meta-analytic models were computed separately for rapport practices and question type, and moderator analyses were conducted to test for differences according to age and interviewing protocol. RESULTS Rapport techniques had a medium overall effect on children's disclosures (d = 0.55, p < .001), and was moderated by the interviewing protocol used, but not children's age. Open-ended questions compared to closed-ended questions had a medium overall effect on children's descriptions of sensitive events (d = 0.52, p < .001), and was not moderated by age or interviewing protocol. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide overarching support for the use of rapport and support, and the use of open-ended questions in forensic interviews with child witnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Lavoie
- Moray House School of Education & Sport, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Joshua Wyman
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, McGill University, Canada.
| | - Angela M Crossman
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, United States.
| | - Victoria Talwar
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, McGill University, Canada.
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Baugerud G, Johnson MS, Hansen HBG, Magnussen S, Lamb ME. Portraits in straw: A reply to Melinder et al. (2020). APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gunn‐Astrid Baugerud
- Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, Faculty of Social Science Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo Norway
| | - Miriam S. Johnson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo Norway
| | - Helle B. G. Hansen
- Department of Behavioural Sciences Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo Norway
| | | | - Michael E. Lamb
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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12
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The dynamics of two-session interviews with suspected victims of abuse who are reluctant to make allegations. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 33:739-747. [PMID: 33436116 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420001820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Supportive forensic interviews conducted in accordance with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Revised Protocol (RP) help many alleged victims describe abusive experiences. When children remain reluctant to make allegations, the RP guides interviewers to (a) focus on rapport building and nonsuggestive support in a first interview, and (b) plan a second interview to allow continued rapport building before exploring for possible abuse. We explored the dynamics of such two-session RP interviews. Of 204 children who remained reluctant in an initial interview, we focused on 104 who made allegations when re-interviewed a few days later. A structural equation model revealed that interviewer support during the first session predicted children's cooperation during the rapport-building phase of the second session, which, in turn, predicted more spontaneous allegations, which were associated with the interviewers' enhanced use of open-ended questions. Together, these factors mediated the effects of support on children's free recall of forensically important information. This highlighted the importance of emphasizing rapport with reluctant children, confirming that some children may need more time to build rapport even with supportive interviewers.
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Baugerud G, Johnson MS, Hansen HBG, Magnussen S, Lamb ME. Forensic interviews with preschool children: An analysis of extended interviews in Norway (2015–2017). APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gunn‐Astrid Baugerud
- Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social PolicyOslo Metropolitan University Faculty of Social Sciences Oslo Norway
| | - Miriam S. Johnson
- Departement of Behavioural SciencesOslo Metropolitan University Oslo Norway
| | - Helle B. G. Hansen
- Faculty of Health SciencesOslo Metropolitan University Faculty of Health Sciences Oslo Norway
| | | | - Michael E. Lamb
- Social and Political SciencesUniv of Cambridge Cambridge United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Cassidy H, Akehurst L, Cherryman J. Police Interviewers' Perceptions of Child Credibility in Forensic Investigations. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2020; 27:61-80. [PMID: 32284780 PMCID: PMC7144289 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2019.1687044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
During investigative interviews, police practice can influence key aspects of child credibility, namely the accuracy, competency, reliability, and truthfulness of their testimony. To date, police interviewers' perceptions of how best to assess child credibility at interview, and how practice impacts upon credibility, have been overlooked. We conducted a qualitative study that examined data from focus groups with 16 English police officers who regularly interview children. The focus group transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, and four main themes were identified - the 4Es: eliciting information, evaluating credibility, empowering the interviewee, and a high-quality end product. Within these themes, police officers acknowledged some responsibility for the perceived credibility of child victims. Poor interviewing practice could decrease the accuracy of the information elicited and cross-examined in court. Registered intermediaries could empower child interviewees and increase their competency. A lack of reliability contributed to evaluating credibility, but this relationship was not straightforward. Finally, obtaining the most truthful account from child victims was not always possible, because there are many barriers to overcome. Our findings suggest the need for a continued focus on interview protocols that facilitate disclosure from child victims and a review of the professional relationship between those who interview children and prosecutors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Cassidy
- School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton, Falmer, UK
| | - Lucy Akehurst
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Julie Cherryman
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
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Lavoie J, Dickerson KL, Redlich AD, Quas JA. Overcoming Disclosure Reluctance in Youth Victims of Sex Trafficking: New Directions for Research, Policy, and Practice. PSYCHOLOGY, PUBLIC POLICY, AND LAW : AN OFFICIAL LAW REVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF LAW AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW 2019; 25:225-238. [PMID: 32103880 PMCID: PMC7043240 DOI: 10.1037/law0000205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
An alarming number of youth worldwide are victims of commercial sexual exploitation, particularly sex trafficking. Normative developmental processes and motivations across the adolescent period-the age when youth are at greatest risk for trafficking-combined with their history, make them highly likely to be reluctant to disclose their exploitation to police, who often encounter victims because they are suspected of delinquency and crime and who interrogate the victims as suspects. Little scientific and policy attention has been devoted to understanding how to question these victims in a way that reduces their disclosure reluctance and increases their provision of legally relevant information. In the current review, we describe research concerning trafficking victims' histories and exploitative experiences, juvenile suspects' and victims' encounters with the legal system, and best-practice forensic interviewing approaches to elicit disclosures from child victims. We highlight the implications of these areas for understanding the dynamics between how police encounter and interact with adolescent trafficking victims and whether and how the victims disclose trafficking details during these interactions. We close with an agenda for research to test interviewing methods for suspected victims of sex trafficking and with policy and practice recommendations for interviewers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelli L Dickerson
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
| | | | - Jodi A Quas
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine
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Karni-Visel Y, Hershkowitz I, Lamb ME, Blasbalg U. Facilitating the Expression of Emotions by Alleged Victims of Child Abuse During Investigative Interviews Using the Revised NICHD Protocol. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2019; 24:310-318. [PMID: 30879346 DOI: 10.1177/1077559519831382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Children's testimony is often critical to the initiation of legal proceedings in abuse cases. In forensic interviews, the expression of emotions can powerfully enhance both the quality of children's statements and perceptions that their statements are coherent and credible. However, children rarely express their emotions when reporting abusive events. The Revised The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Protocol (RP) was designed to emphasize socioemotional communication during forensic interviews and thus should be associated with more extensive and diverse expressions of emotions by alleged victims of abuse. The present study focused on forensic interviews (178 using the Revised and 100 using the Standard NICHD Protocol) with victims of physical child abuse whose allegations were corroborated using independent evidence. Detailed content coding showed that the RP was associated with the expression of more different emotions, more expression of abuse-related emotions, and more expression of emotions related to the interview context. Emotional expressiveness was associated with increased informativeness, and the association between the type of protocol and informativeness was fully mediated by emotional expressiveness. These results suggest that the Revised Protocol facilitates the expression of emotions by alleged victims of abuse in a way that enhances the value of children's testimony in multiple ways.
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Capparelli AL, Miller QC, Wright DB, London K. Canine-Assisted Interviews Bolster Informativeness for Negative Autobiographical Memories. Psychol Rep 2019; 123:159-178. [PMID: 31126223 DOI: 10.1177/0033294119851803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Humans and animals share a unique bond. Professionals are capitalizing on the human–animal bond by incorporating animals into therapy, forensic interviews, and the courtroom. However, the mnemonic consequence for including dogs in forensic interviews has not been empirically evaluated. In the current study, we examined whether the use of dogs increases the quantity of verbal reports for emotional events. Undergraduate participants were randomly assigned to dog or no dog conditions. Participants were interviewed about positive experienced events and negative experienced events. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for quantity of new information. Participants shared more new information in negative event reports with a dog present than with no dog present. There were no significant differences in the quantity of information disclosed for positive event memories between dog conditions. Canine-assisted interviews may provide comfort to people, resulting in more elaborative autobiographical reports about negative stressful events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Quincy C Miller
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | | | - Kamala London
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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Effects of Delay, Question Type, and Socioemotional Support on Episodic Memory Retrieval by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:1111-1130. [PMID: 30406912 PMCID: PMC6394562 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3815-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-seven autistic children and 32 typically developing (TD) peers were questioned about an experienced event after a two-week delay and again after a two-month delay, using the Revised National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Investigative Interview Protocol. Recall prompts elicited more detailed and more accurate responses from children than recognition prompts. Autistic children recalled fewer correct narrative details than TD peers when questioned using open invitations, cued invitations, and directive questions. Nonetheless, they were as accurate as TD peers when responding to all types of prompts. The informativeness and accuracy of children's reports remained unchanged over time. Social support was beneficial when children were interviewed for the first time but not after a longer delay.
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Hershkowitz I, Melkman EP, Zur R. When Is a Child's Forensic Statement Deemed Credible? A Comparison of Physical and Sexual Abuse Cases. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2018; 23:196-206. [PMID: 29034734 DOI: 10.1177/1077559517734059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A large national sample of 4,775 reports of child physical and sexual abuse made in Israel in 2014 was analyzed in order to examine whether assessments of credibility would vary according to abuse type, physical or sexual, and whether child and event characteristics contributing to the probability that reports of abuse would be determined as credible would be similar or different in child physical abuse (CPA) and child sexual abuse (CSA) cases. Results revealed that CPA reports were less likely to be viewed as credible (41.9%) compared to CSA reports (56.7%). Multigroup path analysis, however, indicated equivalence in predicting factors. In a unified model for both types of abuse, salient predictors of a credible judgment were older age, lack of a cognitive delay, and the alleged abusive event being a onetime less severe act. Over and beyond the effects of these factors, abuse type significantly contributed to the prediction of credibility judgments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eran P Melkman
- 2 Department of Education, Rees Centre for Research on Fostering and Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ronit Zur
- 3 Child Investigations Service, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Jerusalem, Israel
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Ahern EC, Hershkowitz I, Lamb ME, Blasbalg U, Karni-Visel Y. Examining reluctance and emotional support in forensic interviews with child victims of substantiated physical abuse. APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2017.1387057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Hershkowitz I, Ahern EC, Lamb ME, Blasbalg U, Karni-Visel Y, Breitman M. Changes in Interviewers' Use of Supportive Techniques during the Revised Protocol Training. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michal Breitman
- Child Investigation Service; Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services; Jerusalem Israel
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Andrews SJ, Ahern EC, Lamb ME. Children's Uncertain Responses when Testifying about Alleged Sexual Abuse in Scottish Courts. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2017; 35:204-224. [PMID: 28429396 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the uncertain responses of 56 alleged sexual abuse victims, aged 5-17 years, testifying in Scottish criminal court trials. Don't know/remember ground rules were explained to 38% of the children and each child reported uncertainty in response to 15% of the questions on average. Uncertain responding was associated with expressions of resistance and confusion, questioning context (proportionally more regarding substantive than non-substantive issues), question content (least to disclosure-focused questions), utterance type (more to directives, particularly those posed by defense lawyers; more to recall-based than recognition prompts), and age (children in mid-adolescence were less likely to respond uncertainly than those who were either older or younger). There were no associations between expressions of uncertainty and ground rule administration, or with whether or not the question focused on central rather than peripheral details about the alleged crimes. Findings highlight concerns surrounding preparatory procedures to help witnesses, especially adolescents, indicate uncertainty when testifying. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael E Lamb
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K
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Ahern EC, Sadler LA, Lamb ME, Gariglietti GM. Practitioner Perspectives on Child Sexual Exploitation: Rapport Building With Young People. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2017; 26:78-91. [PMID: 28001494 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2016.1257529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Young people suspected of being sexually exploited are unlikely to have made prior disclosures before being approached by authorities, and this can make them especially uncomfortable when involved in investigations. Semistructured interviews were conducted with frontline social workers and law enforcement practitioners about their experiences interacting with youth during child sexual exploitation investigations. The findings provided some tentative insights into the processes by which practitioners sought to establish rapport with young people who have been exploited and establish themselves as trustworthy abuse disclosure recipients. Practitioners reported that rapport building in child sexual exploitation cases not only occurred over lengthy periods of time (e.g., months or years) but also required repeated contacts between the practitioners and young people, during which practitioners minimized their roles as authorities and maximized their authenticity as caring people. Practitioners mentioned the importance of dependability, lightheartedness, and having a casual demeanor. Findings have implications for managing reluctance and understanding rapport building when working with possible victims.
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Price EA, Ahern EC, Lamb ME. Rapport-Building in Investigative Interviews of Alleged Child Sexual Abuse Victims. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael E. Lamb
- Department of Psychology; University of Cambridge; Cambridge UK
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Brown DA, Lamb ME. Can Children Be Useful Witnesses? It Depends How They Are Questioned. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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