Interviewing Techniques in Forensics
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This document provides information on interview techniques used by psychologists. It discusses the different types of interview formats, including fully structured, semi-structured, and unstructured. It also describes the goals and procedures of forensic interviews conducted with individuals who have experienced abuse or violence. Specific questioning techniques used in interviews, such as open-ended questions, closed-ended questions, probing questions, and clarifying questions are explained. The document also discusses building rapport during interviews and therapy-interfering behaviors that can negatively impact the therapy process. Strategies for addressing client therapy-interfering behaviors are presented.
Interviewing Techniques in Forensics
- 2. Interview Format • Planning the Interview: – Fully Structured – Semi structured – Unstructured
- 3. • When any case is referred to FP, the forensic interview is the first step in the investigation. • A forensic interview is a sensitive and legally sound method of gathering factual information regarding allegations of abuse or exposure to violence. This interview is conducted by a competently trained, neutral professional utilizing research and practice- informed techniques as part of a larger investigative process.
- 4. Questions • Open ended • Close ended
- 5. • Probing Questions: A probing question is a question that follows up on the answers to previous questions. • These can be used to: • Clarify or search for reasons behind previous answers • Search for inconsistencies • Help the respondent deal with a topic that has been difficult to speak about • Revisit responses from earlier in the interview
- 6. • Clarifying: Can you tell me more about it • Expending: What happened next • Checking: You said…… • Revision: “Let’s go back to what you told me before about… In the light of what you told me later, can you now tell me more about…?”
- 7. • There are a number of forensic interviewing models, all consist of sequential phases or stages and include the following: • Rapport building: • Substantive phase: • Closure:
- 8. • Building Rapport: – Non Judgmental attitude – Non Verbal Cues – Empathic Listening – Reflecting – Clarifying – Summarizing
- 9. Therapy‐Interfering Behavior (TIB) • It is exactly what it sounds like! – Behaviors that interfere with effective therapy – Can be done by clients and therapists
- 10. Therapy‐Interfering Behavior (TIB) • Client behaviors that interfere with receiving therapy: – Coming late, missing sessions, or last minute cancellations – Not doing homework in between sessions – Not participating in session (e.g., not talking, daydreaming, dissociating, lying, saying “I don’t know” a lot)
- 11. Therapy‐Interfering Behavior (TIB) • Client behaviors that burn out therapists: – Not engaging or accepting treatment strategies therapist believes are essential – Phoning or emailing therapist too much – Demanding solutions / assistance / resources therapist cannot offer – Being disrespectful / hostile / critical towards therapist and therapy – Not paying for services in a timely manner
- 12. Therapy‐Interfering Behavior (TIB) • Can have a range of emotional and cognitive responses • And therefore may… – Ignore client TIB – Respond assertively to client TIB – Respond aggressively to client TIB
- 13. Therapy‐Interfering Behavior (TIB) • Therapist does not recognize client TIB is occurring • Therapist is unclear how to understand / conceptualize client TIB
- 14. Addressing Client TIB • Create / share conceptualization of TIB with client • Brainstorm alternative strategies for key links in the behavioral chain • Assist client in implementing new strategies (e.g., skills training, cognitive restructuring) • Modify contingencies in therapy to reinforce skillful behavior, not TIB
- 15. Addressing Client TIB • Client not doing homework: – Cognitive restructuring / modification – Acting opposite to urges to avoid phone call, avoid getting into bed – Interpersonal skills training: making requests , building friendships, etc. – Building in rewards, incentives for doing homework
- 16. Addressing Client TIB • DEAR (Linehan, 1993): – (D) Describe the current situation – (E) Express your thoughts and feelings in a nonjudgmental manner – (A) Assert yourself (make your request) – (R) Reinforce the other person for meeting your request or respecting your limit