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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Forensic Interviewer

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

Social ServicesLaw EnforcementNon-ProfitHealthcare

🎯 Role Definition

As a Forensic Interviewer, you are the crucial first point of contact for gathering information from child victims and witnesses in a safe, supportive, and neutral environment. Your primary mission is to conduct expertly crafted, non-leading forensic interviews to elicit accurate details about potential abuse or criminal events. You will work as an integral member of a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), including law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, and medical professionals, to ensure a coordinated and effective investigation. This role demands a profound understanding of child development, trauma's impact, and legally defensible interview protocols, all while maintaining the utmost empathy and professionalism to minimize trauma to the individuals you serve.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Social Worker (MSW/LCSW)
  • Child Protective Services Investigator
  • Victim Advocate

Advancement To:

  • Senior Forensic Interviewer / Peer Review Lead
  • Forensic Interview Program Manager or Supervisor
  • Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Victim Services Coordinator
  • Law Enforcement Detective (Special Victims Unit)
  • Policy Advisor or Trainer for Child Welfare

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct legally defensible, non-leading, and non-suggestive forensic interviews with children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults who are alleged victims of or witnesses to abuse and violence.
  • Utilize nationally recognized, evidence-based forensic interview protocols (such as the NICHD or NCAC models) tailored to the developmental and cognitive abilities of each individual.
  • Facilitate pre-interview and post-interview briefings with multidisciplinary team (MDT) members to establish interview objectives and discuss outcomes for coordinated case planning.
  • Operate and manage high-quality digital audio and visual recording equipment to ensure the integrity and admissibility of the interview record.
  • Prepare for and provide clear, professional, and expert testimony in criminal, civil, and family court proceedings regarding the forensic interview process and methodology.
  • Create comprehensive, objective, and timely written summaries and documentation for each forensic interview conducted, maintaining meticulous case files.
  • Assess the immediate needs of the child and family post-interview and coordinate with advocacy staff to ensure a warm hand-off for crisis intervention and support services.
  • Maintain a neutral and objective stance throughout the investigative process, focusing solely on information gathering without forming conclusions about the allegations.
  • Engage in a rigorous and ongoing peer review process with other forensic interviewers to maintain high standards of practice and foster continuous skill development.
  • Manage a dynamic and often demanding case schedule, responding promptly to requests for interviews from law enforcement and child protective services partners.
  • Adapt interview strategies in real-time based on a child’s verbal and non-verbal cues, emotional state, and developmental level to create a safe and productive environment.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in community outreach and educational presentations to raise awareness about child abuse and the role of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC).
  • Assist in training law enforcement, child protective services personnel, and other professionals on child development, trauma-informed practices, and the forensic interviewing process.
  • Stay current on emerging research, best practices, legislative changes, and legal precedents related to forensic interviewing and child maltreatment.
  • Contribute to the collection and analysis of case data for statistical reporting, grant applications, and program evaluation to demonstrate impact and identify needs.
  • Provide support and mentorship to new forensic interviewers or students completing internships at the agency.
  • Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team on complex case reviews to develop comprehensive strategies for investigation, prosecution, and victim support.
  • Maintain the interview suite and equipment, ensuring the environment is child-friendly, sanitary, and fully functional for all interviews.
  • Represent the agency at local, state, and national conferences, task force meetings, and professional development trainings.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to interview trends and outcomes.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by ensuring interview documentation meets evolving standards.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Forensic Interview Protocol Expertise: Mastery of one or more nationally recognized interview protocols (e.g., NCAC, NICHD, RADAR).
  • Courtroom Testimony: Ability to provide clear, confident, and professional expert witness testimony on interview methodology.
  • Case Documentation: Meticulous and objective report writing skills for legal and case management purposes.
  • Child Development Knowledge: Deep understanding of cognitive, social, and emotional development from infancy through adolescence.
  • Trauma-Informed Principles: In-depth knowledge of the neurobiological effects of trauma and the principles of trauma-informed care.
  • Legal & Ethical Standards: Strong grasp of the legal requirements for evidence collection and the ethical obligations of the role.
  • A/V Equipment Operation: Proficiency in using digital audio/visual recording systems and managing digital evidence.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Empathy & Rapport-Building: Ability to quickly establish a sense of trust and safety with children and families in crisis.
  • Emotional Resilience & Self-Care: High capacity to manage exposure to traumatic material and prevent secondary traumatic stress.
  • Objectivity & Neutrality: Unwavering ability to remain impartial and non-judgmental during sensitive and emotionally charged situations.
  • Superior Active Listening: Skill in hearing and interpreting subtle verbal and non-verbal cues to guide the interview process effectively.
  • Collaborative Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, respecting the roles and expertise of all partners.
  • Stress Management & Composure: The ability to remain calm, focused, and professional under high-pressure conditions.
  • Critical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to guide questioning and synthesize information from multiple sources during MDT briefings.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Counseling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5+ years of professional experience working directly with victims of crime, particularly children and families impacted by abuse.

Preferred: National certification from an accredited Forensic Interviewing training program is highly preferred. Experience working within a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) model and a proven track record of effective collaboration with law enforcement and child protection agencies is a significant asset.

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