Handbook on Child Witnesses: Improving Psychological Science and Legal Practice

This comprehensive text describes the science and practice of child forensic interviewing, with an emphasis on child abuse cases.

For the forensic interviewer, eliciting descriptions of childhood assaults, at any age, is no easy task. Over the last several decades, research on children and the law has greatly expanded, especially on the topics of forensic interviewing, memory, suggestibility, linguistic development, and social and emotional development. This area of study and practice is especially concerned with both false denials and false allegations. These concerns have led to the development of useful evidence-informed protocols, but there is still more research to be done.

This book offers a holistic overview of current research directions and policy implications regarding child witnesses' interactions with the legal system, including the long-term outcomes after their initial involvement. Children and families impacted by the trauma of a sexual assault, or the trauma of a false report, can experience lasting mental and physical effects. Children are especially vulnerable to experiencing distress when interacting with the legal process. This volume covers the best techniques that minimize further distress when child witnesses are involved in legal proceedings, and illustrates how best to deal with the inevitable stressors. Chapters delve into interviewing methods, social support, child understanding of legal proceedings, true versus false reporting, and countering juror bias.