The importance of forensic interviewing…

Why is a forensic interview important within your investigation plan?

Any allegation of wrongdoing requires an investigation; some of which may be very simple and short whereas others can be very complex with vast amounts of accounts, information and evidence. Interviews are often necessary in criminal investigations, workplace disciplinary issues, governing bodies of sport, social work, medical professions and so on.

The accounts of the victims, complainants, witnesses and suspects are quite often the only information an investigator possesses to resolve the issue. Harassment in the workplace, bullying in sports sessions, criminal abuse, all tend to occur without witnesses, therefore, the forensic interview of the individuals concerned is the only tool available to ensure a just resolution which is backed up by evidence and information based on the facts which were represented at the time, all gleaned through the interview.

The UK College of Policing states, “accurate and reliable accounts ensure that the investigation can be taken further by opening up other lines of enquiry and acting as a basis for questioning others” (COP, 2022).

Quite often, the interview is overlooked or underrated, however, in almost all complaints made, the initial receiver of that information should be asking some questions to assess what to do with the concern.

If a child informs their football coach, they are frightened to play when another coach is present. Someone should be asking some tentative questions to establish why. Although it may not be the responsibility of everyone to investigate, it is the responsibility of everyone working and volunteering within football, for example, to safeguard children from harm. There is a requirement to ask some questions (an interview) of the child to assess what is imperative to resolve the issue. The answers provided should determine why the child is frightened which in turn will move towards resolving the issue. It may be the matter should be raised to another person to investigate, or it may need to be raised to the police or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). In any of these situations someone is going to ask you about the information the child has presented. This is the case for all sporting organisations.

An interview is a structured conversation where one party asks questions to another party to obtain information. However, the structured conversation is not always possible. Take the above example. When the child has provided the information, the receiver should ask the question “why”. Establishing why they are frightened is absolutely essential to resolving the situation. More often than not, it may be very simple and no significant cause for alarm, however, there also many occasions when there is real cause for alarm and matters taken are more urgent.

It is essential that anyone in a position of trust has the skills and confidence to ask the right questions. That questions are open and not leading. Having the confidence to say to a child when they say they are frightened, “Tell me why?” and “Explain that to me” is essential. This basic response could make a huge difference to the outcome or resolution at a later date; it could protect a child and other children from harm, it could result in the expulsion of a coach who bullies, belittles or even wilfully abuses children.

When the information is presented to anyone with the responsibility of keeping someone safe the following is essential:

What do I know?

What do I need to know?

How do I find that out?

Most of these queries will be established at the initial stage of receiving the information and will drive the direction of the investigation. This is why the forensic interview is important.