Child Sexual Abuse Investigations

• NCJ Number: 155669
• Journal: Polygraph Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 34-47
• Author(s): B C Jayne
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This article previously appeared in The Investigator, a publication of John E. Reid and Associates, Spring 1989, V 5, N 2, P 1-9, and is reprinted with permission from the author and publishers.

Annotation

This paper presents background information about child sexual abuse and recommends practical techniques for interviewing and interrogating suspects in these cases.

Abstract

Society expects the criminal justice system to convict child molesters with the same frequency as murder suspects, but child sexual abuse investigations are complicated by delays in reporting the offense, the possibility that the victim is lying, and other factors. Child molesters include pedophiles and nonpedophiles; however, they do not match common stereotypes regarding mental illness or homosexuality. The investigator's first goal is to establish the probable truthfulness of the child's allegation. Interview techniques should vary depending on whether or not the child named a specific suspect. Baiting techniques involving references to hypnosis, DNA fingerprinting, hair analysis, and videotapes are sometimes useful. Themes in interrogation may include blaming someone other than the suspect, blaming alcohol or medication, minimizing, and using alternative questions. Lists of sample questions and 6 references