Forensic Interview

Our forensic interview process is child friendly and tailored to each child’s developmental age and cognitive, social, and emotional abilities. The interviews are conducted with just one interviewer and are observed by a KIDS Center medical examiner and sometimes members of our multi-disciplinary team. Our interviews are recorded with the hope that a child only need to recount their story once and not be subjected to a court hearing or multiple interviews. 

We work hard to put kids at ease and allow them to tell their stories in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. All questions are non-leading and we let each child know that they can stop the interview at any time.  Children are never forced to talk about anything they don’t want to talk about.  Children often draw or play while they talk and sometimes use playdoh, stuffed animals, anatomical drawings or writing to help them relay their experiences and to help them feel comfortable and safe.

Medical Evaluation

Our medical evaluations are child oriented and we aim to make the child feel as comfortable as possible. Children are examined without their caregiver, providing them with the opportunity to speak freely, without the worry of upsetting their caregiver with the information that they share.

The physical examination is accompanied by a medical interview, during which the child is asked questions about every part of their body, following a pre-established examination protocol.  While the examination is very important for a thorough evaluation and potential collection of physical evidence, the child is reassured that they have choices throughout the process and that no part of the examination is painful.   

Children who have been victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect often have concerns about their bodies that they are too embarrassed to voice and this examination is a wonderful opportunity to address those concerns in a caring and gentle manner.  We take photographs of any concerning injuries as part of the head to toe examination. 

Our medical examiners are experienced health care providers who are also able to address general health and developmental questions, acute illnesses such as ear infections or strep throat, and general developmental assessments as part of the examination.