Interviewing Techniques

Foundations - Safe Space Chat

• Goal: Establish trust; ensure child feels safe, supported.
• Environment:
  • Private, quiet, comfortable, age-appropriate.
  • Minimal distractions. No authority figures/alleged perpetrator present initially.
• Interviewer:
  • Empathetic, patient, non-judgmental, calm.
  • Use child-friendly language.
• Initial Steps:
  • Introduce self & role.
  • Explain interview purpose (age-appropriately).
  • Confidentiality & its limits (mandatory reporting of harm).
  • Build rapport: non-leading, open-ended questions first.
  • Ensure child's physical comfort (e.g., water, toilet break).
• Positioning:
  • Sit at child's eye level; maintain open, non-threatening posture.
  • Avoid physical barriers (e.g., large desk between interviewer and child).

⭐ High-Yield: Always inform the child about the limits of confidentiality, especially regarding mandatory reporting of abuse, before substantive questioning begins. This builds trust and manages expectations.

Child Interview - Kiddo Confabs

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Caregiver Interview - Guardian Grills

• Objective: Elicit facts, assess caregiver's perspective, capacity, and willingness to protect child.
• Interview caregivers separately if possible to avoid collusion or intimidation.
• Approach: Non-judgmental, empathetic yet firm; build rapport.
• Key Areas to "Grill" (Explore):
  • Child's daily routine, behavior, development.
  • Caregiver's understanding of the injury/neglect; consistency of explanation.
  • Family stressors, support systems, coping mechanisms.
  • Discipline methods used; views on discipline.
  • Explanation for any delays in seeking medical care.
• 📌 C.A.R.E.F.U.L. Interview: Calm & Attentive, Rapport building, Explore explanations, Focus on child, Understand stressors, Listen actively.
• Note inconsistencies, evasiveness, blaming the child, or hostility.

⭐ A caregiver's plausible explanation for an injury that is inconsistent with the child's developmental stage or the nature of the injury is a major red flag for abuse.

Documentation & Reporting - Record & Report

Documentation:

• Objective, factual, detailed, contemporaneous.
• 📌 F.A.C.T.S.: Factual, Accurate, Complete, Timely, Specific.
• Child's exact words (verbatim quotes).
• Body diagrams for injuries (location, size, shape, color).
• Record date, time, persons present.

Reporting (POCSO Act, 2012):

• Mandatory for all suspected cases.
• To: Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) or local police.
• Timeline: Within 24 hours of knowledge.
• Inform Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
• Maintain strict confidentiality.

⭐ Section 21, POCSO Act: Failure to report by persons in authority (e.g., doctors) is punishable by imprisonment up to 6 months and/or fine.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• Prioritize open-ended questions initially, allowing the child's spontaneous recall.
• Maintain a neutral, supportive, non-judgmental attitude throughout the interview.
• Strictly avoid leading questions or suggesting information to the child.
• Interview the child alone if abuse is suspected, ensuring a private setting.
• Use age-appropriate language and developmentally sensitive communication.
• Document verbatim the child's statements accurately and objectively.
• Carefully observe and note non-verbal cues and behavioral responses during the interview.