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“Forensic interviewer has a clearly defined role in child sex abuse probe”
- A forensic investigator is committed to improving the assessment and investigation of child abuse, specifically in those cases involving sexual abuse. They suggest:
- To use the ‘Child First Philosophy', which states that the needs of a child are given the first priority during the forensic interview process.
- The room in which the interview is conducted is child-friendly, in an attempt to make them feel comfortable, and a developmentally appropriate approach is used in the questioning process.
- And by child-friendly, they means a room that resembles a normal house, more than a police station or a hospital's emergency room, with child-sized furniture and toys.
- Adapting the protocol to suit cultural and ethnic differences is absolutely essential
- It is also important for an investigator to be neutral, and not start with pre-conceived notions. This includes being able to speak in the same tongue as the children, and use points of reference that they are comfortable with.
- In addition to the surroundings, it is necessary for an investigator to have the right attitude.
- “If I am an authoritarian figure, they might get scared or worried. That will shut them up or they may tell me what they think I want to hear. They should be comfortable enough to forget they are talking to a stranger, in an uncomfortable setting.”
- Having a multi-disciplinary team work with the forensic investigator has its own benefits. Liaising with law enforcement and child protection services means casting a broad-enough net.
