Cross, Fine, Jones, and Walsh (2012) provided a thoughtful review and critique of a book chapter describing the interview process at Child Advocacy Centers. They observed some of the ways that concerns raised in that chapter are being addressed and described revised guidelines that further clarify issues. Ongoing research and examination of the…

The article provides a history of efforts to develop a credentialing or certification process for forensic interviewers and reviews the multitiered credentialing process offered by the National Association of Certified Child Forensic Interviewers. The authors argue the benefits of a credentialing process for forensic interviewers and respond to…

This article presents a commentary on "Making the Most of Information-Gathering Interviews With Children," in which, according to Jones, Larsson and Lamb provided a helpful overview on memory retrieval and communicative ability and on ways these may be fostered in interviews with children. They explored three interview protocols that have been…

This paper presents the author's comments on the Michigan sex offender registration article "Family Experiences of Young Adult Sex Offender Registration" (Comartin, Kernsmith, & Miles, 2010). The article is an important piece of research that addresses a much neglected and almost invisible population in the annals of research: the…

Study analyzed interviews to identify children's terminology of private body parts and sexual abuse activity. "Touching" was the most frequently used term in describing sexual parts and/or sexual abuse. Children's choice of words can imply various meanings; the interview should clarify the meaning of slang terms. Recommends interviewers use "what"…

Sexual abuse of children has been recognized as a major problem. Attempts have been made to elicit descriptions of the abuse of children. A variety of interview methods for obtaining descriptions have been used. Methods of interviewing depend on the age of the child, the purpose of the interview, and the training and philosophy of the interviewer.…

Examines the basic tenets of a l983 Texas law permitting videotaped interviews of child victims of abuse to be admissible in civil and criminal proceedings. Discusses how the law is being implemented and how it protects legal rights of child victims, alleged perpetrators, and society at large. (Author/NH)

This statement, signed by 20 experts on child welfare and abuse, summarizes agreement regarding the current status of knowledge in investigation of child sexual abuse and identifies those areas in which further research remains necessary. The statement addresses behavioral indicators of abuse, interviewing child victims, the use of dolls and other…

The current state of knowledge, primarily anecdotal, concerning ritualism in child sexual abuse is reviewed. The terminology is defined, and the issues of credibility and responses among parents, professionals, and the community are discussed. Implications for interviewing in clinical practice and for policy development are described, as are areas…

This editorial comments on a study (EC 614 974) concerning interviews with children suspected to be victims of sexual abuse which eliminated interviewer bias and possible leading questioning. It supports further research into the effectiveness of "blind interviews" but also urges major changes in arrangements for obtaining children's evidence on…

This article discusses use of child interview data to decide whether or not a child has been sexually abused. It examines the role of child interview findings from a historical perspective, discusses the challenge of researching criteria indicative of a true allegation, reviews existing studies of child interview data, draws conclusions, and…

Reflects upon Steward and Steward essay on improving understanding of children as witnesses. Focuses in particular on the effect on legal proceedings of a poorly conducted or highly suggestive interview. Suggests that the major problem today is whether a child's account has been contaminated by delays or through interactions with others, and…

Examines the rationale and design of evaluations of interview protocols to be used in sexual abuse cases. Comments on the findings of Steward et al. study, in the contexts of cost-benefit analysis and ecological validity. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques, such as enhanced interviews, anatomical dolls,…

Reflects on Steward and Steward's exploration of memory of touch--and aspects of the situation in which touch is experienced--and considers some of the ways in which research on children's remembering can be applied to the difficult task of assessing what child witnesses can remember about salient and often difficult experiences. (AA)

Discusses whether it is possible for a medical visit to inform a child abuse investigation, whether children share common experience in a medical visit and in a touch situation, the importance of initial interview, and the need for training of investigative interviewing with children. (AA)