The importance of scientifically analysing the quality of joint investigative interviews (JIIs) conducted with children in Scotland

The authors wish to highlight the importance of using a scientifically based approach to assessing the quality of interviews conducted with children in Scotland. To achieve this goal, experts, legal commentators and judicial fact finders must have access to both electronic recordings of interviews and typed transcripts of those interviews. We believe that this article is timely given the recent rollout of visual recording of interviews with children in Scotland (Scottish Executive, 2011): this initiative by the Scottish government is an important development in serving the needs of children who allege abuse.