Nation-wide survey reveals forensic interviewers' perspectives, challenges, and goals

Child victims/witnesses across the nation experience a wide range of interactions with professionals while being interviewed. Depending on the province or territory the child resides in, there are varying interview techniques... [ view full abstract ]

Child victims/witnesses across the nation experience a wide range of interactions with professionals while being interviewed. Depending on the province or territory the child resides in, there are varying interview techniques that the child would have experienced (e.g. evidence-based practice, or strategies based on general advice). Likewise, many investigative interviewers (police officers, child protection workers, and interviewers based at Child Advocacy Centres) have participated in a multitude of training and specific interview protocols while working with children, all of which may differ depending on the agency for whom they work for as well as geographical location. Objectives: The aim of this presentation is to provide an overview of the perceptions and experiences of professionals across the country. Moreover, our objective was to shed light on the interview techniques that are used by forensic interviews nation-wide to better understand how consensus may be reached across Canada. Method: A survey was created in both English and French which was distributed via email to police officers (municipal, provincial, and federal), and child protection workers. The survey included 16 questions. Some were multiple choice, but the majority were open-ended questions in which participants typed their responses. Questions targeted what type of training the professionals received, whether follow-up training was given, whether interviews were conducted individually or as a team, the biggest challenges faced in the job, and what interviewing advice had been given in the workplace. Results and Conclusions: 191 respondents completed the survey. It was evident that there is a wide array of interview techniques used nation-wide, creating a lack of consensus on which techniques should be used, whether and how follow-up training should be delivered, and challenges faced in the profession.