Police interview training, cooperation with specialized units and the quality of forensic interviews in suspected cases of child sexual and physical abuse
Abstract
Objectives: Children are often the only witnesses in cases of sexual or physical abuse against them, which is
why the quality of child forensic interviews used in abuse investigations is of paramount importance. The
present study examined the quality of child forensic interviews conducted by Finnish police officers. In
addition, the effect of interview training participation and cooperation with forensic psychiatric investigative
units was examined.
Methods: The National Police Board of Finland granted a research permit for the present study. Transcribed
child forensic interviews were requested from all police officers investigating alleged sexual or physical
abuse against children. In addition, an online questionnaire was sent to each participating police officer. The
total sample (n=27) consisted of 4,662 utterances that were coded into question types based on a researchbased coding system. The association between interview quality and interview training participation, and
cooperation with specialized units and interview training was examined using multilevel modeling.
Results: A majority of the police officers had participated in child forensic interview training. Police officers
who had not attended child forensic interview training used significantly less facilitators. Police officers who
reported cooperating with the forensic psychiatric investigative units used significantly more facilitators and
directive utterances.
Conclusions: This study shed light on the effectiveness of interview training and on the reported cooperation
between police officers and forensic psychiatric investigative units. The results of this study indicate that both
interview training participation and the cooperation with forensic psychiatric investigative units promotes the
ability of police officers of being present for the child through facilitating the child’s narrative. The results can
be utilized to motivate broader collaboration between authorities.
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
child forensic interview, police, oikeuspsykologia, research, International Resources, finland, child abuse
Citation
Snellman, V. (2021). Police interview training, cooperation with specialized units and the quality of forensic interviews in suspected cases of child sexual and physical abuse.