Repository logo
 

The effects of age and delay on responses to repeated questions in forensic interviews with children alleging sexual abuse.


Change log

Authors

Andrews, Samantha J 
Lamb, Michael E 

Abstract

We examined transcripts of forensic interviews with 115 children aged between 3 and 12 years, interviewed between 1 day and 18 months after allegedly experiencing a single incident of sexual abuse. Repeated questions were categorized with respect to the reasons why interviewers asked questions again, how interviewers asked repeated questions, and how children responded. On average, interviewers asked 3 repeated questions per interview. As age increased, the frequency of question repetition declined but there was no association between repetition and delay. Interviewers most often repeated questions for clarification (53.1%), but questions were also repeated frequently to challenge children's previous responses (23.7%), and for no apparent reason (20.1%). In response, children typically repeated (54.1%) or elaborated on (31.5%) their previous answers; they contradicted themselves less often (10.8%). Questions repeated using suggestive prompts were more likely to elicit contradictions. There was no association between age or delay and the reasons why questions were repeated, how they were repeated, and how children responded. These findings emphasize the importance of training forensic interviewers to repeat questions only when the children or interviewers seek clarification and to encourage children who are anxious or reluctant to disclose. All repeated questions should be open-ended and interviewers should explain to children why questions are being repeated.

Description

Keywords

Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Male, Mental Recall, Suggestion, Truth Disclosure

Journal Title

Law Hum Behav

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0147-7307
1573-661X

Volume Title

Publisher

American Psychological Association (APA)