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

Korkman, Julia
; 
Otgaar, Henry
; 
Geven, Linda M.
; 
Bull, Ray
; 
Cyr, Mireille
; 
Hershkowitz, Irit
; 
Mäkelä, Juha-Matti
; 
Mattison, Michelle
; 
Milne, Rebecca
; 
Santtila, Pekka
... show 10 more
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Affiliation
Åbo Akademi University; Maastricht University; Catholic University of Leuven; Leiden University; University of Derby; Université de Montréal; University of Haifa; University of Chester; University of Portsmouth; New York University Shanghai; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; University of London; Deakin University; University of California Davis; Griffith University; Psychologische Hochschule Berlin; OGB Consulting, Glasgow; Helsinki University Hospital; Tallinn University; MSB Medical School Berlin; Children’s Health Ireland; University of Edinburgh; University of Gothenburg; University of California; Helsinki University Hospital; Universidade Católica Portuguesa; Colby-Sawyer College; University of Gloucestershire; Cornell University; Universitas Indonesia; University of Sydney; University of Winchester; Istituto Universitario Salesiano Rebaudengo di Torino
EPub Date
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2024-04-18
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Psychology
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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.
Citation
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. G., Gewehr, E., Gomes Bell, O., Järvilehto, L., Kask, K. ... Volbert, R. (2024). White paper on forensic child interviewing: research-based recommendations by the European Association of Psychology and Law. Psychology, Crime & Law, vol(issue), pages. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2024.2324098
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Journal
Psychology, Crime & Law
Research Unit
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10034/628633
DOI
10.1080/1068316X.2024.2324098
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PubMed Central ID
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Article
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© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
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ISSN
1068-316X
EISSN
1477-2744
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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1068316X.2024.2324098