NCJ Number
131009
Journal
Kriminalist Volume: 22 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1990) Pages: 360-361
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The article argues that video recordings of sexually abused children are legal court evidence according to German law and would spare the children the trauma of multiple testimony.
Abstract
Unlike other countries, Germany has made little use of modern media to record child witnesses. Although no direct German rule exists concerning the legality of filmed interrogations as court evidence, the author believes such evidence would hold up, especially if severe psychological damage has been shown in the child victim. The following procedure should be used: (1) the initial questioning is recorded in writing but also by a video camera; (2) the child is subsequently questioned by the judge to fill in any gaps; (3) at the trial, the video recording appears as evidence, and a physician testifies that the child cannot appear at the trial because of severe psychological trauma. In Denmark this technique has worked well and has been used to suit each child's age and maturity. While one and two-year olds are not questioned at all, those between 3 and 13 have benefited greatly from this humane solution.