NCJ Number
190007
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 230-242
Editor(s)
Mark Chaffin
Date Published
August 2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This multi-site field study tested the effectiveness of an extended forensic evaluation model designed as a fact-finding procedure for abused children who were reluctant to disclose or were to young or frightened to give clear details in a single interview or if the abuse actually occurred. In addition, the study examined how the pace of the evaluation and case characteristics might affect evaluation outcomes.
Abstract
Controversy arose over the appropriateness of clinical professionals participating in child abuse investigations. It was determined that a subset of children referred due to suspected sexual abuse required more than one interview to reach an opinion about the veracity of allegations. Issues were raised that forensic practice might run counter to traditional clinical training and that an assessment approach should be developed that would withstand competing demands of clinical effectiveness. This study examined these challenges in the real world context of child abuse investigations. The National Children’s Advocacy Center’s forensic evaluation model examined in this study was designed for this specific group of children and conducted by licensed mental health clinicians. The purpose of the model was to determine the likelihood that the child had been abused and identify suspected perpetrators, to gather forensically sound facts, to allow the child to disclose over time in a non-threatening environment and to assess the extent and nature of the alleged abuse, to gather information regarding the child’s social and behavioral functioning for treatment recommendations, and to establish a foundation for effective treatment if needed. Based on the results of the multi-site project, the recommended number of sessions with the child were five and included: (1) rapport building; (2) developmental assessment; (3) social and behavioral assessment; (4) focusing on the topic of concern; and (5) closure. The multi-site study of the model followed a 2-year pilot study. Professionals in 12 States adopted the model and collected data for 2 years on a total of 147 participants. In 44.5 percent, a credible disclosure was obtained, with 73 percent of these cases supported in the legal system. The forensic evaluation procedure yielded clear information to be used in child protection and prosecutory decisions in 64 percent of the cases. In the context of this study, the results of the evaluation were not only accurate and useful to investigators but they were acquired in ways acceptable to the courts. The model appeared to meet the test of providing investigators with useful information in a way that was built on research about investigative interviewing and child development and respectful of the requirements of civil and criminal courts. Appendix and references