NCJ Number
225563
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Dated: 2008 Pages: 216-227
Date Published
2008
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses some of the problems with the validity and reliability of forensic interviews of young children commonly conducted at Child Advocacy Centers upon which polygraph examinations of accused individuals rely.
Abstract
In cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of a child, the pre-polygraph investigation often depends entirely upon the forensic interview of the alleged child victim. Forensic interviews of children in sexual abuse cases have a long history of ineffectiveness resulting in irreparable harm to both the alleged victim and suspect. The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) was created with trained interviewers to balance the investigative needs of the police and prosecution. However, evidence emerged indicating that many forensic interviews of children were conducted in a nonobjective manner and lacked diagnostic validity. The intent of this article is to identify some of the more common sources of error associated with the forensic interviews of children, particularly allegations of sexual abuse, so that polygraph examiners and others involved in these cases can make assumptions and decisions that are reasonably sound and defensible. References