Overview of the Suggestibility of Child Witnesses and Techniques to Maximize the Accuracy of Investigative Interviews

Abstract

The accuracy of recalling events and the degree to which suggestibility alters the child's testimony has become a recent concern of psychological research. Examining the accuracy of children's memories is one of the main focuses of research on children's credibility. While many studies have investigated the degree to which children can accurately store and retrieve information, other studies have concentrated on effects of suggestibility and misleading questions. While suggestibility does decrease the accuracy of the children's ability to recall information, there are techniques and procedures interviewers can use to minimize them. Research aimed at discovering optimal interviewing techniques has become prominent. There are certain guidelines interviewers can follow in order to eliminate as many influential factors as possible.