What is a Forensic Interview Protocol?

​

Strategies for questioning children are packaged in forensic interviewing protocols. They are semi-structured and consist of various phases, each of which is designed to solve a unique conversational problem (e.g., rapport building, narrative practice, raising the topic of concern). Today, those who question children have an array of protocols to choose from.

 

Which protocol is "best?" Though some organizations do a better job than others of incorporating evidence-based techniques into their protocol and training, the use of a particular protocol determines neither the quality of an interview, nor the reliability of a child's testimony. Much more important is the extent to which a given interview followed best-practices.