Interviewing Techniques

On this page

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).

Child interview room setup

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

Error generating content for this concept group: No object generated: the tool was not called.

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). Annotated body diagram for documenting child abuse
  • 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.

Practice Questions: Interviewing Techniques

Test your understanding with these related questions

In implementation of a health programme, best thing to do is -

1 of 5

Flashcards: Interviewing Techniques

1/4

Metaphyseal corner fractures are a characteristic feature of _____ syndrome

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Metaphyseal corner fractures are a characteristic feature of _____ syndrome

Caffey's

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial