A forensic interview is a method for gathering facts from a victim of alleged child abuse while being sensitive to the child's emotional needs and developmental level.  The CACWC promotes forensic interviews that are legally sound, are of a neutral fact-finding nature, and are coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing.  We create an environment that reduces traumatic triggers to our child victims by emphasizing the child's comfort level, and conducting the interview in a child-centered, developmentally appropriate atmostphere.


A specially trained forensic interviewer talks to children in an objective, non-threatening, comfortable and non-leading manner.  Our child-centered interview rooms are designed to put the child at ease during this difficult time.  Children are provided the opportunity to talk freely about their experiences to a trained professional.  This both reduces trauma to the child and allows for a legally-sound interview if the case proceeds through the criminal system.


The forensic interview allows for other professionals who may investigate and prosecute cases against the alleged perpetrators to observe in a nonthreatening way.  The investigative parties are able to assess the various safety issues and possible criminal violations that may have taken place.  The forensic interviews that take place at the CACWC are electronically recorded and can be used as evidence if a case proceeds through the criminal process.

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