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Comprehensive Child Victim Testimony Procedures: Best Practices Examined & Applied in Indiana Courts

Explore the optimal age for child victims to testify in court, guided by developmental psychology principles. Learn about the multi-step process of preparing and presenting a child's CAC interview, from initial concerns to court proceedings. Discover the ideal sequence of events, including safety planning, professional screenings, Social Services involvement, and police investigations. Gain insights into cross-examining CAC interviewers and child witnesses in Indiana.

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Comprehensive Child Victim Testimony Procedures: Best Practices Examined & Applied in Indiana Courts

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  1. What Would be Best, Psychologically • When does developmental psychology say a child victim should be able to testify in the presence of an accuser? Below that age: (See Poole) • Taped CAC Interview including: • Documented timeline of events from initial concern to CAC interview • Documented preparation for interview including alternative hypotheses • Presented to court by CAC interviewer and cross examined • Child would not testify

  2. How does it happen in Indiana?

  3. Cross examining the CAC interviewer

  4. Cross examining the younger child

  5. Cross examining the older child

  6. An Ideal Sequence • Original concern leads to • Safety plan, reassurance and “incubation,” then • Preliminary , informal screening by a trained health or mental-health professional, Including timeline, context, alternative hypotheses and interview(s) of the child • If reason to suspect , professional informs Social Service hot line , then • Family system analysis by Social Services, including timeline and alternative hypotheses, to provide background for • Videotaped CAC interview with written report providing basis for decision about whether to proceed with • Police investigation

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