Swedish interpreters' views and experiences of interpreting child forensic interviews

BACKGROUND

Child forensic interviewers have expressed concerns regarding the quality of interpreter-mediated child forensic interviews. However, research on interpreters' perspectives on these interviews is scarce and specialized education for interpreters limited.

OBJECTIVE

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore interpreters' experiences and knowledge of interpreting child forensic interviews.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A total of 130 Swedish interpreters with different authorization statuses responded to a digital survey about interpreting child forensic interviews.

METHODS

Qualitative data were analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis and content analysis, and quantitative data with descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

Interpreters reported challenges concerning children's limited language skills, the emotional effects of interpreting child forensic interviews, the limited access to information before interviews, and the complex balance between following interpreters' ethical guidelines and adjusting for situational demands. Regarding practical conditions, interpreters preferred interpreting in person instead of via telephone. Interpreters' general knowledge of child forensic interviewing did not differ between interpreters with different authorization statuses (F(2,108) = 0.80, ω2 = -0.002, p = .45), except from views on using leading questions (H(2) = 17.34, η2 = 0.14, p < .001) and whether interpreters may clarify terms to child interviewees (H(2) = 8.02, η2 = 0.06, p = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

It is crucial to consider interpreters' perspectives when striving to improve the quality of interpreter-mediated child forensic interviews. Interpreters should be provided sufficient information to prepare and assess their suitability. Interpreters should also be offered education in interpreting child forensic interviews and given appropriate service structures to support their wellbeing.

"It doesn't work at all, that's my experience": Swedish forensic interviewers' views on interpreter-mediated child interviews

BACKGROUND

Legal practitioners have expressed concerns regarding the quality of interpreter-mediated forensic interviews with child witnesses.

OBJECTIVE

This mixed-methods study aimed to examine Swedish forensic interviewers' experiences of conducting child interviews via a language interpreter.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Forty-one forensic interviewers from the Swedish Police Authority with experience conducting interpreter-mediated child interviews participated in a digital survey.

METHODS

Their responses were analyzed using both qualitative (thematic and content analyses) and quantitative (descriptive and inferential statistics) approaches.

RESULTS

The forensic interviewers' general experiences of conducting interpreter-mediated child interviews were negative. Limited access to authorized legal interpreters and doubts regarding the accuracy of interpretation were described as major obstacles in these investigations. The presence of an interpreter could negatively impact children's disclosure process and limit their chances of expressing their views during legal proceedings.

CONCLUSIONS

According to Swedish forensic interviewers, the quality of interpreter-mediated child interviews urgently needs to be addressed. Our results are consistent with previous surveys from Australia and the United States, highlighting the international relevance of these topics. Future improvements are vital to ensure that all children are provided an equal right to be heard during criminal investigations, regardless of the native language.