Two Models for Interviewing Children in a Forensic Setting

When interviewing children, investigators walk a fine line between obtaining the most accurate information possible and suggestibility. Researchers in the area of child eyewitness testimony have stressed the significance of interviews with children in sexual abuse cases, because of the controversy and complication of such cases (Bull, 1995a and b; Lamb et al., 1995) . As a result, researchers have worked towards adapting interview styles to allow for appropriate interviews with child witnesses, including those who are victims of sexual abuse. Two of these interview processes are the "Step-Wise Interview" (Yuille et al., 1993) and the SAGE, or "Systematic Approach to Gathering Evidence" interview (Roberts & Glasgow, 1993).

The Step-Wise interview method developed by Yuille et al. (1993)attempts to avoid suggestibility through a nine step process designed for increasing accuracy and content of a child's testimony. The first of these steps is "rapport building". According to Yuille et al. (1993), being cognizant of issues of sexual development and abuse, and possessing the ability to conduct interviews responsive to the child victim's needs is extremely important. Developing rapport with the child interviewee is one way the interviewer can be responsive to the child's needs. Yuille et al. also urge interviewers to converse with the child prior to questioning, to determine how reliable the child's responses typically are. Another step of the Step-Wise interview method is "requesting recall of two specific events". In this step, the interviewer can judge the approximate level of detail the particular child might give regarding an event, which is useful to know when questioning the child about the abuse. Bruck and Ceci (1995) have recommended one way to avoid suggestibility is to "ask a child non-leading questions". The Step-Wise interview method requires the use of free narrative, which might avoid leading from the interviewer. However, the Step-Wise method allows interviewers to ask "specific questions" if deemed necessary, and Bruck and Ceci might see this as a opportunity for suggestion. The Step-Wise is flexible and adaptable, allowing more specific questions and the use of helpful interview aids, such as AD dolls. However, the aspects of this method allowing for flexibility may also somewhat compromise the credibility of the interview. The Step-Wise method is a good outline for interviews with child abuse victims, but a more systematic method might be called for.

The SAGE model, or "systematic approach to gathering evidence" was developed in response to this need. The SAGE is a more complicated interviewing process, designed to give investigators more structure for gathering valid evidence from child witnesses, and victims of abuse (Roberts & Glasgow, 1993) . The reliability and validity of this model have not been sufficiently studied or empirically compared to other methods such as the Step-Wise interview method, and the SAGE model has received significant criticisms. The SAGE interview process requires multiple interviews, and this is an aspect which has been scorned. However, the strengths of the SAGE process include the aim "to encourage communication about the child's world- experiences, significant others and abilities- not only about the allegations of abuse" and the aim "to provide testing of the child's competency". These specified aims of the SAGE model encapsulate an orientation toward the previously mentioned suggestions of researchers (Yuille et al., 1993) for appropriate interviews with child abuse victims and/or witnesses. The SAGE and Step-Wise models have relative strengths and weaknesses necessitating further studies and comparisons of interviewing methods for child victims of abuse.