A Call for Field-Relevant Research about Child Forensic Interviewing for Child Protection

Abstract

This article reviews some sensitivity versus specificity imbalances in forensic investigations of child sexual abuse. It then proposes the development or further testing of additional approaches for those children who do not respond to the current, single-interview National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) protocol. Although there are other interview protocols based on similar principles, the NICHD protocol has the strongest evidence base in both field and laboratory studies to elicit detailed and accurate information from children. Adaptations of the NICHD protocol or additional approaches need to be developed and tested for nondisclosing, partially disclosing, or recanting children, very young children, children with developmental disabilities, and children whose sexual abuse allegations are evaluated in the context of custody or visitation disputes.

Keywords:

• child sexual abuse
• child forensic interviewing
• nondisclosing children
• child custody evaluations

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erna Olafson

Erna Olafson, PhD, PsyD, is associate professor of clinical psychiatry and pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She has directed the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Childhood Trust Child Forensic Training Program since 1999.