Conclusion
This report is currently under review.
This review has described some commonly-used forensic interviewing protocols for children and adult vulnerable victims. The literature demonstrates that forensic interview protocols generally share some common objectives, including minimizing victim harm, obtaining sufficient quality and quantity of relevant information while avoiding collecting too much irrelevant information, and ensuring that any urgent medical, safety, or psychological needs of the victim are addressed. While CYAC/CACs have established a national set of guidelines for forensic interviewing of child victims, no national standards (voluntary or mandatory) for adult or child forensic interviewing currently exist. In addition, there is a lack of rigorous psychometric evidence testing the reliability and validity of most protocols, in particular with sexual assault victims. Evidence also shows that there is a gap between the protocols and how they are implemented/interpreted in the field, suggesting that there is a need for greater quantity and quality of training for practitioners conducting interviews.
The literature also identifies some common best practices for forensic interviewing, which includes adopting a victim-centred approach, and understanding how trauma may impact victim behaviours and reactions. Other aspects of interview protocols that are supported by evidence include the use of a rapport-building phase, using free-narrative, open-ended and non-leading questions rather than specific questioning, and allowing for sensory-based and non-chronological answers.
Forensic interviews play an essential role in gathering information from vulnerable victims of crime. The continued development and evaluation of forensic interview protocols will increase efficiency of interviews, the amount of information gathered, and ensure that victims are able to communicate the traumatic experience in a safe and neutral setting.
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