White paper on forensic child interviewing: research-based recommendations by the European Association of Psychology and Law

Korkman, J., Otgaar, H., Geven, L.M., Bull, R., Cyr, M., Hershkowitz, I., Mäkelä, J.-M., Mattison, M., Milne, R., Santtila, P., van Koppen, P., Memon, A., Danby, M., Filipovic, L., Garcia, F.J., Gewehr, E., Gomes Bell, O., Järvilehto, L., Kask, K., Körner, A., Lacey, E., Lavoie, J., Magnusson, M., Miller, Q.C., Pakkanen, T., Peixoto, C.E., Perez, C.O., Pompedda, Francesco ORCID: 0000-0001-9253-0049, Su, I.A., Sumampouw, N.E.J., van Golde, Celine, Waterhouse, G.F., Zappalà, A. and Volbert, R. (2024) White paper on forensic child interviewing: research-based recommendations by the European Association of Psychology and Law. Psychology, Crime & Law. doi:10.1080/1068316X.2024.2324098 (In Press)

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Abstract

This white paper consists of evidence-based recommendations for conducting forensic interviews with children. The recommendations are jointly drafted by researchers in child interviewing active within the European Association of Psychology and Law and are focused on cases in which children are interviewed in forensic settings, in particular within investigations of child sexual and/or physical abuse. One particular purpose of the white paper is to assist the growing Barnahus movement in Europe to develop investigative practise that is science-based. The key recommendations entail the expertise required by interviewers, how interviews should be conducted and how interviewers should be trained. Interviewers are advised to use evidence-based interview protocols, engage in hypothesis-testing and record their interviews. The need to prepare the interview well and making efforts to familiarise the child with the interview situation and create rapport as well as acknowledging cultural factors and the possible need for interpretation is underscored, and a recommendation is made not to rely on dolls, body diagrams and the interpretation of drawings in the interviews. Online child interviewing is noted as showing promising results, but more research is warranted before conclusive recommendations can be made. Interviewers should receive specialised training and continuous feedback on their interviews.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Child forensic interviews; Child abuse investigations; Interview recommendations; European Association of Psychology and Law; EAPL white paper
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology K Law > K Law (General)
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Depositing User:	Charlotte Crutchlow
Date Deposited:	02 May 2024 10:25
Last Modified:	14 Sep 2024 15:10
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/14028

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