Child Victims and Witnesses

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to child victims and witnesses as discussed in the lecture.

Testimony

A formal statement given in a court of law by a witness.

Suggestibility

The degree to which a person’s recall of episodic memories can be altered by misleading information.

Recall

The process of retrieving information from memory.

Anatomically Detailed Dolls

Dolls used in interviews with children to help them express experiences, though not standardly accepted.

Cognitive interview

An interviewing technique designed to enhance the amount of information recalled by witnesses and victims.

Free recall

A type of questioning where the individual is asked to recount everything they remember without prompts.

Delayed recall

The ability to retrieve information after a period of time has elapsed since the event.

Source monitoring

The process of determining the origins of memories; errors can occur when children misattribute where information comes from.

Child maltreatment categories

The classifications of abuse which include physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and emotional maltreatment.

Interview protocols

Standardized methods implemented during interviews to elicit accurate responses from witnesses.

Memory distortion

Alterations or inaccuracies in recollections of past events, often seen in children.

Courtroom accommodation

Adjustments made in the courtroom setting to assist child witnesses during testimony.

Criterion-based content analysis

A method used to differentiate between true and fabricated statements made by children.

Open-ended questions

Questions that allow the respondent to provide a free-form answer, rather than a simple yes or no.

Social compliance

The tendency of children to trust and comply with adult requests, influencing their responses in interviews.

False memory syndrome

A condition in which a person remembers events that did not occur or recalls false details about real events.

Peer questioning

A practice technique where individuals take turns questioning each other to garner accurate information.

Support person

An individual who accompanies a child witness to provide emotional support during testimony.

Emotional maltreatment

A form of abuse involving emotional harm, neglect, or failure to provide a supportive environment.

Externalizing behaviour

Actions directed outward, such as aggression or defiance, often observed in children subjected to abuse.

What is a cognitive interview?

A cognitive interview is a method used by law enforcement to enhance the retrieval of information from eyewitnesses.

How does a cognitive interview differ from a standard interview?

A cognitive interview employs specific techniques to improve memory recall, while a standard interview may not utilize these strategies.

Why is the cognitive interview significant in criminal investigations?

The cognitive interview can lead to more accurate witness statements, which can be critical in solving cases.

What techniques are used in a cognitive interview?

Techniques include mental reinstatement of the context and varied recounting of the event.

What is the role of rapport in cognitive interviews?

Establishing rapport is essential as it encourages witnesses to provide more detailed accounts.

How does the cognitive interview impact witness confidence?

Cognitive interviews can increase witness confidence in their recollections, which assists in memory accuracy.

What does STP stand for in the STP interview process?

STP stands for Standardized Testing Procedure.

What is the purpose of the STP interview process?

The purpose of the STP interview process is to evaluate candidates systematically and fairly using standardized questions.

How does the STP interview process ensure fairness?

By using the same set of questions for all candidates, the STP interview process helps to minimize bias and variation.

What types of questions are typically included in the STP interview process?

Questions may include situational, behavioral, and competency-based inquiries.

Why is it important to use a structured format in the STP interview process?

A structured format allows for better comparison of candidates and enhances the reliability of the interview outcomes.

How does the STP interview process impact hiring decisions?

It provides a consistent framework that aids in making more objective and informed hiring decisions.