Forensic Interviewing

A forensic interview is a neutral, fact-finding interview that is legally defensible in court.  Dove House forensic interviews are conducted by a trained professional who interviews the child to find out if he or she has been sexually abused.  In addition to yielding information on whether abuse has occurred, this approach produces evidence that will stand up in court if the investigation leads to criminal prosecution.  Forensic interviews are legally sound because they ensure the interviewer’s objectivity, employ non-leading techniques, and emphasize accurate documentation of the interview via videotape.

All child victims who are developmentally capable (typically starting at age 3) are interviewed by the forensic interviewer on the Dove House staff.  This interview is videotaped. Our forensic interviewer has had formal training at “The Childhood Trust” in Cincinnati, Ohio and has ongoing training throughout each year to keep her skills current.  All interviews are observed in our team room via closed circuit TV by the assembled MDT (multi-disciplinary team) involved in each particular case.  The MDT has the capability, via walkie-talkie to an earpiece worn by the interviewer, to communicate with the interviewer should the need arise during the course of the interview.  The purpose of each and every interview is to determine if a crime has occurred, and if a disclosure is made, then to obtain the true and factual details of alleged crimes, while maintaining the dignity and well being of each child.  Although the child must eventually testify in court, the tape allows the jury to view the child at his/her age and developmental level at the time of the alleged incident, and lends credibility to disclosures made through the forensic process.