Multiple Forensic Interviews During Investigations of Child Sexual Abuse: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Abstract

In cases of suspected child sexual abuse (CSA) some professionals routinely recommend multiple interviews by the same interviewer because any additional details provided might improve decision-making and increase perpetrator convictions. We analyzed alternative policies about child interviewing to estimate the probability that a policy of all children receiving multiple interviews will increase criminal convictions and better protect children. Using decision analysis, we prepared a decision tree reflecting the structure through which a case of possible CSA passes through the health care, welfare, and legal systems with an estimated probability of conviction of the offender. We reviewed the CSA disclosure, criminal justice, and child welfare literature to obtain estimates for the median and range of rates for the steps of disclosure, substantiation, criminal charges, and conviction. Using the R statistical package, our decision analysis model was populated using literature-based estimates. Once the model was populated, we simulated the experiences of 1,000 cases at 250 sets of plausible parameter values representing different hypothetical communities. Multiple interviews increase the likelihood that an offender will be convicted by 6.1% in the average community. Simulations indicate that a policy in which all children seen for a CSA medical evaluation receive multiple interviews would cost an additional $100,000 for each additional conviction. We estimate that approximately 17 additional children would need to be interviewed on more than one occasion to yield one additional conviction. A policy of multiple interviews has implications for the children, for the costs of care, for protecting other children, and for the risk of false prosecution.

Narrative coherence in multiple forensic interviews with child witnesses alleging physical and sexual abuse

“…The benefits of multiple interviews are also supported by a costeffectiveness analysis showing that the likelihood of convicting a child sexual abuse offender is increased by an estimated 6.1% as a result of multiple interviews, raising the percentage of offenders who are convicted from 22.8 to 28.9% (Block, Foster, Pierce, Berkoff, & Runyan, 2013). The costs associated with multiple interviews in this analysis involved the additional resources required by law enforcement whilst the key benefit was the prevention of further victimisation through identifying, convicting and incarcerating offenders.…”

“…The costs associated with multiple interviews in this analysis involved the additional resources required by law enforcement whilst the key benefit was the prevention of further victimisation through identifying, convicting and incarcerating offenders. However, as Block et al (2013) note, the risks and benefits associated with multiple interviews are contingent upon the quality of the interviews, with additional suggestive or otherwise substandard interviews having few advantages and many risks, including a decrease in children's credibility due to inconsistencies in their reports across interviews, and a potential increase in false conviction rates (Block et al, 2013). Thus, in order to establish the impact of multiple interviews on the outcome of child sexual abuse cases, it is essential to consider the quality of the testimonies elicited, including their completeness, consistency and connectedness.…”

Impact of Repeated Questioning on Interviewers: Learning From a Forensic Interview Training Project

“…Repeated or extended forensic interviews may be needed for some children, including those who are younger, physically or cognitively limited, from a community's minority culture, or are from complex cases (Faller, Cordisco-Steele, & Nelson-Gardell, 2010;Katz & Hershkowitz, 2013). In these situations of multiple interviews or repeated questions, interviewers must proceed carefully, recognizing the threat of suggestive questioning and potential for false memories (see, Block, Foster, Pierce, Berkoff, & Runyan, 2013;Orbach & Lamb, 2001). The literature describing multiple interviews mostly focuses on assessing the victim's credibility or the interviewer's use of a free narrative approach (Katz & Hershkowitz, 2013;Many & Osofsky, 2012).…”

Adli Psikiyatrik Değerlendirme ve Çocuk ile İletişim

“…Çoklu görüşmenin potansiyel yararları ve zararları göz önünde bulundurularak tercih edilmelidir. Hangi olguda, hangi durumlarda çoklu görüşmeler yapılmalıdır bu konuda yeterli bilgi maalesef ki yoktur (32). Bu noktada uzmanların klinik deneyimleri önem kazanmaktadır.…”