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Forensic Interviews

Forensic interviewing conducted by the Children’s Advocacy Center of the 13th Judicial Circuit is a first step in investigations, one in which a specially trained interviewer interviews a child to find out if he or she has been the victim of abuse.  The interview is viewed by a multi-disciplinary team (law enforcement, child protection, medical, victim’s advocacy) so they can gather the information they need to keep the child safe and provide additional services. In addition to obtaining the information needed to make a determination about whether abuse or neglect has occurred, this approach produces evidence that will stand up in court if the investigation leads to criminal prosecution or leads to termination of parental rights. Properly conducted forensic interviews are legally sound in part because they ensure the interviewer’s objectivity, employ non-leading techniques and emphasize careful documentation of the interview.

 

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