Child and Adolescent Forensic Interview Issues

Consultation on developmental factors affecting statements made by children or adolescents, and on what the interview conditions do and do not support.

Forensic and Litigation Support

About Child and Adolescent Forensic Interview Issues

Specialized consultation may address developmental considerations affecting statements made by children or adolescents, including how the interview itself may have shaped what was reported.

These services do not automatically constitute a child-custody evaluation, a parenting-capacity evaluation, or a recommendation concerning ultimate custody. Those are distinct engagements with their own scope and requirements, and they are not implied by consultation on interview issues.

  • Developmental maturity
  • Memory
  • Suggestibility
  • Interview structure
  • Leading questions
  • Repeated questioning
  • Post-event information
  • Family influence
  • Emotional state
  • Trauma
  • Medical circumstances
  • Medication-related considerations
  • Timing of the interview
  • Interview environment
  • Potential contamination
  • Reliability limitations

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All forensic and litigation support services

Clinical and forensic services are distinct professional activities. The existence of a therapeutic relationship does not automatically establish a forensic evaluator or expert-witness relationship. Services are provided only within the provider's education, training, professional scope, current licensure status, supervision requirements, and applicable California law. No forensic opinion, legal outcome, court decision, disability determination, VA determination, firearm-rights determination, custody decision, or other administrative or judicial result can be guaranteed. Forensic conclusions are based on the information available, the scope of the referral, applicable methodology, and the professional limitations identified in the individual case. Forensic matters are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Contact the practice to discuss the nature of the matter, deadlines, anticipated services, and retainer requirements.