Challenges in Teaching Forensic Interviewing Best Practices - To American College Undergraduates

Abstract

The subject of this case study is the author's recent attempt to teach forensic interviewing best practices techniques to undergraduate college students within an upper division Victimology class. The three main phases of a forensic interview namely, the report building phase, the substantive aspect, and closure were the primary areas presented to the students. Key components of forensic interviewing such as asking open ended questions without leading the respondent, encouraging elaboration but not imagination, and listening and recording in a neutral manner were emphasized. Rather than just teaching the points to the students, exercises were designed to allow students to practice the skills in real time.