Forensic Interviewing of Adult Victims with Special Needs

Dermot Whelan, Senior Training Consultant with Modell Consulting Group, will discuss the concepts of forensic interviewing and the advantages of interviewing adults who have experienced victimization using this methodology. He will also discuss some of the challenges that victims with special needs face with regard to receiving justice after victimization and how forensic interviewing can mitigate some of those challenges. The term “special needs” refers to people who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, mental health disorder, physical disability, or neurocognitive disorder (dementia). When investigators/interviewers learn more about these populations, along with effective communication adaptations woven into enhanced interviewing skills, they will be empowered to better serve victims who have been historically denied the access to justice they deserve.

BELTSS MN26-6037