Re: best practices for CSA interviewing in United States

[<DeanTong@xxxxxxx>]

 

In the USA, the National Institute for Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) fully-structured forensic child interview methodology first published in 2000 by Esplin, Lamb, et al and attached for your perusal represents best practice - best evidence. Second in line would be the Finding Words - Cornerstone - RATAC method. Here is the link to follow-up peer reviewed analysis of the NICHD method - www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/224524.pdf

 

 

Dean Tong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dean Tong, MSc., Forensic Trial Consultant/Expert
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http://www.abuse-excuse.com/
 

Disclaimer: Dean Tong is not an attorney. He is not licensed to give legal advice and nothing herein should be construed to be legal advice. If you need legal assistance please consult with an attorney in your area by checking here http://www.abanet.org/lawyerlocator/searchlawyer.html. This e-mail is strictly confidential pursuant to the Attorney/Work-Product Doctrine.

 

In a message dated 10/23/2011 1:33:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, trudyk@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

In El Dorado County California, we use the SDM as well. As a former social worker with the child protective services emergency response unit, I did not particularly think it was useful. The "forced choices" in some of the items did not lend one to be specific about individual cases. However, in lieu of nothing that is somewhat standardized, it is OK. Several counties used another instrument as well. 

Here is a link to a description of the SDM from our state's child welfare website. http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/PG1332.htm

Here is a summary report on some assessment instruments (2005). "Risk and Safety Assessment in Child Welfare: Instrument Comparisons". http://cssr.berkeley.edu/bassc/public/risk_summ.pdf

Here is a 200+ page study of the SDM and child welfare. It depicts the decision trees for specific allegations - neglect, sexual abuse, etc. "Structured Decision Making® and Child Welfare Service Delivery Project" (2008)  http://www.csulb.edu/projects/ccwrl/Brooks.pdf

Regards, Trudy

 

Trudy C. Kilian, M.S.
Human Services and Community Planning Consultant
Home Office: 530-622-6400 (Preferred phone #)
Cell: 530-919-0244

On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 9:56 AM, Lisa Fontes <lfontes@xxxxxxx> wrote:

Dear Colleagues,
I am looking for information about the extent to which what we consider "best practices" for interviewing and following cases of suspected child sexual abuse in the U.S.--the multidisciplinary teams and the structured forensic interviews--is also used in Western Europe.

I would be interested in country-specific as well as general information, directed to the list or to me personally.

Thank you!

Lisa Fontes, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts
Lfontes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx