International Evidence-Based Investigative Interviewing of Children Transnational Workshop Vilnius, Lithuania 12-13 December 2017

Background and the NICHD protocol The “discovery” of abuse – its scope was much bigger than anticipated 80’ies scandals and wrong translations of signals (Bjugn saken)… The NICHD Protocol developed with basis in science; child development, linguistic capabilities, memory, suggestibility, forensic procedures, interviewer behaviour, and the effects of stress and trauma. NICHD evidenced-based approach to forensic interviewing and ongoing reviewed by interdisciplinary cooperation including researchers, forensic interviewers, police officers, and legal professionals The protocol has been revised Developed by Michael Lamb and team

Memory Older children remember more A 4-year-old gives as accurate information as a 14-year child Older children remember more Children have the vocabulary but a less complex communication language Recall processes: we leave out things and social norms make us guess to be approved Limit tendency to suggest by lowering pressure Make children less ambitious and at rest

The child to lead NICHD protocol let the child talk Based upon rules and guideline Rapport building and ground rules Young children provide less details and give short answers Children may not want to disclose Need to establish trust – ask open ended questions Children relieved to talk out to someone listening

The challenge – the interviewer Interviewers changed their knowledge - but not their practice Less inviting and more directive and option posing, suggestive Difficult to develop and maintain interviewing skills Difficult to change behavior Interviewers need to review their practice Self-examine and learn with peers

What not to do Ask suggestive questions Introduce information Behave coercively Ask confusing or complex questions Ask children to pretend or guess Delay the interviews

What to do Clarify roles and purpose of interview Establish rapport Explain ground rules Practice narrative responding neutral transition to substance Minimize interviewer input Maximize use of recall prompts Emphasize event-specific information

The revised protocol Rapport building precedes explanation of ground rules Additional guidance with respect to building and maintaining rapport Interviewers encouraged to express interest in the children’s experiences, to acknowledge, echo, or explore the children’s feelings