Status of Implementation of the Substantive Phase in the NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol for Alleged Child Sexual Abuse: Comparison of Interview transcripts Between Police Officers and Interview Experts

Abstract

TThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the substantive interview phase of the NICHD investigative interview protocol was properly implemented in the forensic interview of alleged child sexual abuse. To this end, 30 transcript of children aged 5 to 15 years who were independently interviewed by police officer and the interview expert were analyzed. As a result, the difference between the groups in the amount of questions and details was not significant. The police group used direct questions, option-posing, and suggestive questions significantly more than the expert group. The children reported significantly more information through suggestive questions in police officer interview, but significantly more information through invitations in expert interview. The expert group mainly used invitations in the beginning, gradually increasing the amount of direct questions, but still frequently used invitations and facilitation until the end. In contrast, the police group frequently used direct questions from the beginning, gradually increasing the amount, and rarely used invitations and facilitation toward the end.