“Just to Jog My Memory”: An Examination of Forensic Interviewers’ Note-taking Behaviors and Perceptions of Notes With Child Witnesses
Date
2024
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Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Abstract
In the current study, we surveyed forensic interviewers (N=137) on their
note-taking practices, perceptions of note-taking, and note-taking training.
Many forensic interviewers surveyed (81%) reported that they take notes
during forensic interviews. Of those, the most common reason for notetaking was to assist with remembering what the interviewee reported during
the interview (89%) and to guide the formulation of follow-up questions
(87%). Note-taking style was also reported upon, with most respondents
indicating that they write down keywords that may be used again in the
interview (78%), as well as short utterances or sentences related to the
presenting narrative (61%). Finally, the majority (50%) of respondents who
take notes reported always taking notes, although 29% reported taking
notes most of the time. Of those respondents who reported not taking
notes during forensic interviews, the majority listed the reasons as being
that it distracts the child from the interview (85%) and causes them to break
eye contact with the child (46%). Overall, many respondents endorsed
the benefits of note-taking to the interviewing process, whereas a small minority reported some perceived risks or concerns with note-taking during
interviews. Perhaps most notably, forensic interviewers, both of whom take
notes and those who do not, reported low rates of note-taking training
and a desire for more information on note-taking practices within the field.
These results underscore the need for further research and best practice
guidelines regarding note-taking during forensic interviews.
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, disclosure, forensic interview, maltreatment
Citation
Williams, S., & McWilliams, K. (2024). “Just to Jog My Memory”: An Examination of Forensic Interviewers’ Note-taking Behaviors and Perceptions of Notes With Child Witnesses. Journal of interpersonal violence, 08862605241243346.