Do Prosecutors Use Interview Instructions or Build Rapport with Child Witnesses?

Date

2015

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Behavioral sciences & the law

Abstract

This study examined the quality of interview instructions and rapport-building provided by prosecutors to 168 children aged 5–12 years testifying in child sexual abuse cases, preceding explicit questions about abuse allegations. Prosecutors failed to effectively administer key interview instructions, build rapport, or rely on open-ended narrative producing prompts during this early stage of questioning. Moreover, prosecutors often directed children's attention to the defendant early in the testimony. The productivity of different types of wh- questions varied, with what/how questions focusing on actions being particularly productive. The lack of instructions, poor quality rapport-building, and closed-ended questioning suggest that children may not be adequately prepared during trial to provide lengthy and reliable reports to their full ability.

Description

Keywords

child witness, rapport, prosecution, interview

Citation

Ahern, E. C., Stolzenberg, S. N., & Lyon, T. D. (2015). Do Prosecutors Use Interview Instructions or Build Rapport with Child Witnesses?. Behavioral sciences & the law, 33(4), 476-492.

DOI