Victims with Disabilities: The Forensic Interview-Techniques for Interviewing Victims with Communication and/or Cognitive Disabilities (DVD and Guidebook)

• NCJ Number: 234678
• Date Published: January 2012
• Length: 72 pages
• Publication Series: OVC Videos
• Grant Number(s): 2003-VF-GX-K016
• Agencies: OVC
• Publication Type: Reference Material

Annotation

This training DVD and guide acquaints law enforcement with effective techniques for interviewing individuals with disabilities that affect cognitive and communication abilities.

Abstract

This training DVD/guide provides guidelines for practitioners (law enforcement officers, prosecutors, victim advocates, and forensic interviewers) who work with disabled victims of crime during the forensic interviewing process. It is designed for professionals who already conduct forensic interviews. The DVD/guide provides techniques to improve their ability to work with individuals who present specific challenges to a successful interview outcome. Developed under the guidance of a National Advisory Board, this DVD/guide provides guidelines for interviewing adults and children, and places special emphasis on victims of crime who have communication and/or cognitive disabilities. Cognitive disabilities, which involve the mental process of knowing, include disabilities such as intellectual disabilities and autism. Communication disabilities, which involve physical impairment that interferes with a person's ability to convey information and ideas, include disabilities associated with speech production (cerebral palsy or stroke). Included in this guidebook is a complete transcript of the DVD as well as a glossary of terms and concepts used in the film. The interactive discussion guide engages viewers with a series of questions related to each section of the video that assess audience comprehension, require abstract thinking, and enhance practitioner aptitude. Appendix