Children as Witnesses Part 2

Question 1

What are four interview techniques for children?

Answer 1

i. Anatomically detailed dolls
ii. Criterion-based content analysis
iii. Step-wise interview
iv. Narrative elaboration

Question 2

When are anatomically detailed dolls used?

Answer 2

1. Used when children have difficulty verbalizing what happened or suspected of being sexually abused

Question 3

What is the result of using anatomically detailed dolls?

Answer 3

Results: children report more fantastic details than in actuality

Question 4

Define criterion-based content analysis

Answer 4

1. Analysis criteria that distinguish truthful from false statements
2. They will analyze the free recall, and make determination about truthfulness
3. Very time consuming

Question 5

What is an example of application in criterion-based content analysis

Answer 5

a. High vocabulary in report is more indicative of something the child was told to say

Question 6

Define the step-wise interview

Answer 6

1. Interview begins with free recall
2. Then they move on to more directive questions
3. Only “Wh” questions, not Y/N questions

Question 7

Define narrative elaboration

Answer 7

1. Interview where child learns to organize the story into relevant categories

Question 8

What are the five categories taught in Narrative Elaboration?

Answer 8

a. Participants
b. Settings,
c. Actions,
d. Conversation/ affective states
e. Consequences
Visual cards for each category!

Question 9

How do children fair in target present lineups?

Answer 9

a. Children over five are comparable to adults in picking the culprit

Question 10

How do children fair in target absent lineups?

Answer 10

a. Children up to fourteen are more likely to have higher false positive rates than adults

Question 11

Define the elimination lineup, designed for children

Answer 11

i. Uses both relative and absolute judgment for kids
ii. Children often fail to make absolute judgment, just go with the person who looks the most like their memory
iii. They are asked, “who is the person who looks most like the person you saw before”
iv. The selected card, the child is then asked, “Is this the person you saw before?”
v. Result: eliminates a lot of the false positive rate

Question 12

How do kids fair in sequential lineup?

Answer 12

Target-absent sequential lineups with kids INCREASES the false positive rate

Question 13

What are six courtroom accommodations for child witness?

Answer 13

i. One way shield/screen to prevent the child from seeing the defendant
ii. Child provides testimony via closed-circuit TV
iii. Child can have support person with him while testifying
iv. Child can be video-recorded while being interviewed about details of the crime
v. Statement made by child during initial disclosure can be considered evidence
vi. Courtroom is closed to public to protect the child’s privacy

Question 14

What other group of people are courtroom accomodations are offered to?

Answer 14

Vulnerable witnesses over 18 years of age

Question 15

Restrictions on the person a child chooses as a support during testimony

Answer 15

If a witness, must testify before providing support to the child

Question 16

If a child is videotaped while being interviewed about the crime he/she doesn’t need to be present in court.

Answer 16

False. The child must be present to answer questions

Question 17

Previous statements by a witness are considered hearsay and not admissible in court with the exception of?

Answer 17

Sexual abuse of children