Forensic Interview

The forensic interview is a key element of any forensic evaluation. This detailed interview is used to gather information and clinical data required to answer a specific psycholegal referral question. The following sections outline the unique characteristics of forensic interviews, including legal contexts, referral questions, and other important considerations (e.g., use of collateral information, bias and judgment error, safety and ethical considerations).

Characteristics of the Forensic Interview

Forensic interviews differ from typical clinical interviews in multiple ways. The scope of the forensic interview and the role of the examiner vary considerably depending on the context and the referral question. Unlike most clinical interviews, which typically emphasize diagnostic assessment and establishing treatment goals, forensic interviews focus on gathering data to answer a specific psycholegal question. The perspective of ...

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