Evidence-based and developmentally appropriate forensic interviewing of children

Forensic interviews are conducted with children when there is suspicion that they may have been abused or maltreated. This chapter focuses on the most appropriate way to question children and to structure interviews. In order to understand how to best question children about suspected abuse, the development and dynamics of all aspects of how children remember their experiences must be understood, as well as the other factors that can impact children's ability to recount their experiences. The chapter focuses on the strengths and limitations of these abilities during childhood. Research shows that the way children are questioned may be as important as their underlying cognitive skills. Many guidelines have been established in order to guide interviewers through the task of conducting developmentally appropriate interviews. In order to qualify as forensic interviewers of children, child protection workers must undergo additional training to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed when conducting best-practice interviews with children.