Investigatory Interview
Contact CPS and law enforcement prior to
conduction the investigatory interview
(Chapter 4, pg. 25-27)
Investigatory interview with the child aims to obtain the following information:
Who is the offender? Does s/he live-in or frequent the home?
What type of abuse occurred? Where did the abuse occur?
How did the offender encourage the child's participation?
How did the offender engage the child in the inappropriate activity? Describe progression of activities over time.
What rewards, threats, bribery, coercion and/or intimidation was used to maintain the child's participation.
Did any non-offending caretaker have knowl- edge of the abuse? If so, what was that individual's response?
Has a supportive person accompanied the child here, one who can be a resource?
Does the child fear retaliation by the offender?
Does the child or caretaker have concerns or knowledge of abuse to siblings?
Information that indicates the non-offending individual has protected/failed to protect child(ren) from abuse?
What are the circumstances surrounding either accidental or purposeful disclosure? To whom was the disclosure made and what was the response of that individual?
It is beneficial to have the information listed below. Much of what is needed may be disclosed during the interview or obtained during the post-exam interview with the caretaker.
name and address (or current whereabouts) of offender;
date(s) of offense;
time(s) of offense;
place(s) of offense;
nature and extent of the offense(s);
names of any witnesses to the event;
anyone else told of the abuse;
whether the child has had sexual contact with anyone else;
whether the offender has been confronted. If so, what was the response and to whom was the response made?
Investigatory interview with the caretaker should be conducted apart from the child; each caretaker should be interviewed separately The guidelines for talking to adult caretakers are the same as those for talking with the child. Ask questions in a nonleading manner and carefully document responses.
