Miriam S. Johnson, Martine Stordrange Hyvik, Ida Caroline Bråthen, Svein Magnussen, Rolf Magnus Grung, Ragnhild Klingenberg Røed, Are Hugo Pripp, Gunn Astrid Baugerud
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Professional use of external retrieval cues, such as various types of visual aids, has been utilized in investigative interviews of children for decades based on the assumption that aids can facilitate children’s recollection of abusive incidents. Although analog studies and surveys have provided insight into various aspects of visual aid utilization, there is a scarcity of field studies that addresses the use of visual aids in large samples of authentic investigative interviews of preschool-aged children. In the present study, the use and productivity of visual aids were examined in 140 investigative interviews of 3- to 6-year-old children, all of whom disclosed abuse in cases that progressed to prosecution. The exploratory analyses focused on the overall use of visual aids, the types of questions posed along with visual aids when the interviewer directly asks questions regarding the investigated incident(s), and the extent to which the children provided forensically relevant information in response to questions used along with visual aids. It was found that visual aids were utilized to elicit information regarding the investigated incident(s) in 92% (n = 129) of the interviews, with emotion cards and drawing materials being the most common aids used. The highest proportion of questions asked alongside visual aids were directive (41.6%) and option-posing (37.3%) questions, followed by suggestive questions (17.9%), and a rather low proportion of open-ended invitations (3.2%). In addition to visual aids, open-ended invitations elicited the most forensically relevant information from the interviewees. The need for standardized guidelines and specialized training for the use of visual aids in investigative interviews of young children is discussed.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology is a peer-reviewed journal that reports research findings regarding the theory, practice and application of psychological issues in the criminal justice context, namely law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The Journal encourages submissions focusing on Police Psychology including personnel assessment, therapeutic methods, training, ethics and effective organizational operation. The Journal also welcomes articles that focus on criminal behavior and the application of psychology to effective correctional practices and facilitating recovery among victims of crime. Consumers of and contributors to this body of research include psychologists, criminologists, sociologists, legal experts, social workers, and other professionals representing various facets of the criminal justice system, both domestic and international.