Investigative interviewers' perceptions of their difficulty in adhering to open-ended questions with child witnesses
Date
2006
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Police Science & Management
Abstract
Best practice guidelines for conducting investigative interviews of children emphasise the importance of obtaining free narrative accounts with the use of open-ended questions. However, research indicates that most investigative interviewers underutilise open-ended questions, even following intensive training in their use. The aim of the current study was to explore investigative interviewers' perceptions of their difficulty in asking open-ended questions. During a training course on how to use open-ended questions, eight child abuse investigators were individually interviewed about why they had asked specific questions in a 10-minute mock interview conducted immediately earlier with a school child. Overall, three reasons were identified. These related to: 1. the specificity of the information required from children; 2. the unfamiliar nature of the open-ended discourse style; and 3. the complex distinction between open-ended versus specific questions. Each of these themes is discussed, along with the implications for trainers and researchers in child investigative interviewing. (Author Abstract)
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
child abuse, interviewing, effectiveness, assessment, research, International Resources, Australia
Citation
Wright, Rebecca ; Powell, Martine B. (2006). Investigative interviewers' perceptions of their difficulty in adhering to open-ended questions with child witnesses. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 8(4), 316-325.