The Use of Visual Aids in Forensic Interviews with Children

Abstract

We examined interviewers’ use of visual aids (e.g., diagrams, dolls, drawings), their questioning strategies, children's productivity, and factors associated with visual aid use in 98 forensic interviews with children (6–16 years) about sexual abuse. Use of aids was common: 62% of interviews included at least one, with sketch-plans being the most common (74% of interviews using aids). Interviewers predominantly asked direct (“wh-”) questions alongside visual aids. Interviews with aids comprised fewer invitations than interviews without them (excluding questions that were asked alongside aids). Visual aids did not increase (or decrease) children's productivity: Children remained consistent in their responding style irrespective of whether aids were used or not. We did not identify any significant predictors of interviewers’ use of visual aids. Given that visual aids can compromise children's accuracy, we suggest that interviewers minimize their use and be mindful of the questions they pose in conjunction with them.