Children are interviewed by a trained forensic interviewer in a safe and child friendly environment while partners such as law enforcement, caseworkers and prosecutors,  observe in real time from another room via closed circuit television.

The Process: When child abuse is suspected, investigators refer the child to the Center for Child Justice for a forensic interview. Forensic interviews are conducted in a manner that is legally sound, neutral, fact-finding, and coordinated to avoid repeated interviews and trauma to the child. Children are interviewed by a trained forensic interviewer in a safe and child friendly environment while partners such as the police, caseworkers and prosecutors, observe  from another room via closed circuit television. Forensic interviews are audio- and video-recorded. The forensic interview process allows partner agencies to observe the interview as it is being conducted, allowing for a collaborative team approach to taking a child’s statement and therefore protecting the integrity of the information gathered.

The Team: The Center for Child Justice provides a child friendly neutral location  for the team investigation of child abuse cases. Representatives from the Blair County District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement and social services work together as a multidisciplinary team and observe, but do not participate in the interview as it takes place, thereby reducing the number of interviews a child victim must undergo. This team approach aims to support and protect children throughout the legal process, preserving their physical and emotional well-being. Click here to learn more about the Multidisciplinary Team.

Successful Outcomes: Successful prosecution of child abuse cases begins with a thorough investigation. At the core of that investigation, the ability to ensure the safety and protection of children often starts with the initial forensic interview conducted by a trained professional at the Center for Child Justice.

The forensic interview is often a critical part of not only the initial investigation but also the criminal prosecution at trial. Forensic Interviewers are often called upon to provide both fact and expert witness testimony to aid in successful prosecution of offenders.

Since our inception, the Center for Child Justice has conducted over 1,000 forensic interviews. 

Effective forensic interviews in a child abuse investigation are vital for obtaining reliable information, minimizing trauma to the child, and building a solid foundation for legal proceedings.