The Influence of Narrative Practice Techniques on Child Behaviors in Forensic Interviews

Abstract

During investigations of child sexual abuse, forensic interviewers must maintain a delicate balance of providing support for the child while collecting forensic evidence about the abuse allegation required for credible evidence for court purposes. The use of narrative practice techniques can achieve both goals by creating conditions that facilitate the possibility that children will feel safe enough to provide detailed descriptions of the alleged abuse. This article reports findings from an evaluation of a change in practice using the CornerHouse Forensic Interview Protocol in which narrative practice techniques were incorporated into the interview format. Findings show that children provided more detailed accounts of abuse when interviewers used open-ended questions and supportive statements through narrative practice.

Investigative Interviewing of Aboriginal Children in Cases of Suspected Sexual Abuse

“…The finding that children spoke more overall when their interview contained a practice narrative echoes the results of numerous studies with non-Aboriginal children (Anderson et al, 2014;Hershkowitz, 2009;Price et al, 2013;Roberts et al, 2004;Sternberg et al, 1997;Whiting, 2013). Conversely, the null finding regarding children's words per prompt is similar to previous laboratory findings with Aboriginal children (Hamilton et al, in press a), suggesting that practice narratives may not confer benefits to the accounts of all Aboriginal children, yet they also appear to do no harm.…”

“…It also provides the child with an opportunity to practice recounting memories and answering questions (predominantly open-ended: e.g., "Tell me more about that part"). Field and laboratory studies have both demonstrated that when a child is asked open-ended questions in the preparatory phase of the interview, the informativeness and/or accuracy of their subsequent accounts is improved (Anderson, Anderson, & Gilgun, 2014;Hershkowitz, 2009;Price, Roberts, & Collins, 2013;Roberts, Lamb, & Sternberg, 2004;Sternberg et al, 1997;Whiting, 2013). Research has also evinced that interviewers asked a greater proportion of open-ended prompts during the substantive phase of the interview when they had first conducted a practice narrative (Price et al, 2013).…”

Forty Years of Forensic Interviewing of Children Suspected of Sexual Abuse, 1974–2014: Historical Benchmarks

“…In 2013, subsequent to research conducted at CornerHouse [76] and likely some challenges to their use of media and questioning strategies, CornerHouse substantially revised their interview structure [76,77]. Added components are "orienting messages", that is interview ground rules, the use of a narrative approach, and privileging an invitation to children of all ages to tell what they know about the interview and its purpose [78].…”

The NICHD Protocol: Guide to Follow Recommended Investigative Interview Practices at the Barnahus?

“…On the other hand, suggestive questioning produces shorter reports, which are more likely to be erroneous and may also produce false reports, particularly in preschool children (e.g. Anderson et al 2014;Craig et al 1999;Davies et al 2000;). …”

“…Contradictory or nonsensical responses, which can appear in response to suggestive questioning, may reduce the credibility of the children's account (e.g. Anderson et al 2014;Howie et al 2012;Lamb et al 2013). The detrimental effect of suggestive techniques on children's accuracy is often misused in an attempt to discredit children's testimonies and is likely to be used against the child in court (Goodman et al 1999).…”