CFI CFI Child & Vulnerable Population Interviewing

Question 1

Which interviewing protocol is most widely recognized in the US for forensically sound interviews of child victims of abuse?

Accepted Answer

The NICHD (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Protocol

Answer

The Reid Technique

Answer

The Behavioral Analysis Interview

Answer

The Structured Clinical Interview

Question 2

Before beginning substantive questioning with a child witness, a forensic interviewer should establish 'ground rules' that include:

Accepted Answer

Instructing the child to say 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand' when applicable

Answer

Telling the child what answers are expected

Answer

Explaining that the child must answer every question even if uncertain

Answer

Informing the child that incorrect answers will be corrected by the interviewer

Question 3

What is the primary developmental concern when interviewing children under age 5 in a forensic context?

Accepted Answer

Their limited language skills and suggestibility may affect recall accuracy and reliability

Answer

They cannot understand Miranda rights

Answer

They are legally unable to testify in any US court

Answer

They have superior episodic memory compared to older children

Question 4

Which of the following is a recognized risk factor for increased suggestibility in child witnesses?

Accepted Answer

Repeated leading questions and pressure from authority figures

Answer

High self-esteem and confidence

Answer

Prior forensic interview experience

Answer

Older developmental age

Question 5

The 'practice narrative' phase of a child forensic interview is designed to:

Accepted Answer

Train the child to use open-ended descriptions by discussing a neutral episodic event

Answer

Allow the child to rehearse the abuse narrative before formal questioning

Answer

Assess whether the child has been coached by a parent or guardian

Answer

Replace the rapport-building phase to save interview time

Question 6

When interviewing a child with an intellectual disability, a CFI should primarily:

Accepted Answer

Adapt language complexity and use shorter questions while maintaining open-ended prompts

Answer

Use more leading questions to compensate for the child's limited vocabulary

Answer

Assume the child's account is unreliable and rely only on physical evidence

Answer

Conduct the interview without a support person to reduce distraction