Forensic Interview

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 A forensic interview is a structured conversation with a child intended to elicit detailed information about a possible event(s) that a child may have experienced or witnessed.  The purposes of a forensic interview are:

• To obtain information from a child that may be helpful in a criminal investigation.
• To assess the safety of the child
• To obtain information for Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and/or Law Enforcement that will either corroborate or refute allegations or suspicions of abuse and neglect
• To assess the need for medical treatment and psychological care

 Recalling the details of abuse during a forensic interview can be painful. We go to great lengths to limit any additional stress or trauma for the child.  The interview takes place in a comfortable space within our center, and is conducted with compassion and sensitivity by a member of the Child Advocacy Center’s forensic interview team.  

The interviewer asks questions and gives the child the opportunity to share the facts about what happened to him or her.  It is a one-on-one interaction. Other members of the investigative team are able to observe the interview from another room.  This collaborative effort limits the number of interviews that the child must endure and ensures that all members of the investigative team receive the same information for their work on the investigation.