“I Just Knowed It”: What Can We Expect From the Youngest Witnesses?
Date
2011-01-21
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National Children's Advocacy Center
Abstract
Young children often cannot explain how they know what they know. Confusing statements uttered in complete confidence by a bright and confident three-year-old leaves the Child Forensic Interviewer feeling baffled as to how to make sense of such statements and unsure as to how to proceed in attempts to clarify declarations without introducing new information or confusing a young witness.
Interviewers often feel pressure to “get something definitive” from the young child as the investigative team looks to the interview outcome to give guidance. Awareness of cognitive limitations, unique language skills, social development, and the influence of the young child’s adult conversational partners can help the interviewer to set more realistic expectations.
Participant questions and challenges are discussed in this conversation.
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Keywords
Child Forensic Interviewer, young witness, Interviewers
Citation
Steele, L. (2011). “I Just Knowed It”: What Can We Expect From the Youngest Witnesses?. Huntsville, AL; National Children's Advocacy Center.