Work

Do Prosecutors Use Interview Instructions or Build Rapport with Child Witnesses?

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined the quality of interview instructions and rapport-building provided by prosecutors to 168 children aged 5-12 years testifying in child sexual abuse cases, preceding explicit questions about abuse allegations. Prosecutors failed to effectively administer key interview instructions, build rapport, or rely on open-ended narrative producing prompts during this early stage of questioning. Moreover, prosecutors often directed children's attention to the defendant early in the testimony. The productivity of different types of wh- questions varied, with what/how questions focusing on actions being particularly productive. The lack of instructions, poor quality rapport-building, and closed-ended questioning suggest that children may not be adequately prepared during trial to provide lengthy and reliable reports to their full ability.

Source: Behavioral Sciences & the Law

DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2183

Authors: Elizabeth C. Ahern, Stacia N. Stolzenberg, Thomas D. Lyon

Institutions: University of Cambridge, Arizona State University, University of Southern California

Language: English

Topic: Deception detection and forensic psychology

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development