Sociology ETDs

Publication Date

5-13-1995

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the performance of child sexual abuse investigators in conducting multi-use forensic interviews. The primary focus was on the job/performer level of analysis with a secondary focus on organizational and process issues.

Every year, thousands of innocent children endure the emotional and physical pain of sexual abuse. Thousands more find themselves at the mercy of skilled perpetrators who rob child victims of their innocence. Given these circumstances it is expected that social service, criminal justice and judicial systems will execute their respective roles and responsibilities while always keeping the best interest of the child at heart. Yet it is not unusual for these systems to behave as "secondary perpetrators" and as a result end up traumatizing the child more than the actual sexual abuse itself.

A review of the literature indicated that social workers and law enforcement officers typically receive a moderate amount of training in conducting interviews which are designed to yield information germane to their investigative protocol. However, these investigators have typically not been exposed to skills training in the area of multi-use interviewing. Current literature suggests that investigators need to be skilled in conducting developmentally sound interviews which will meet the evidentiary requirements of criminal, civil and domestic relations courts.

This dissertation project was inductive or descriptive in nature. The goals of the project were to determine any disparity between the desired and actual performance/skill level of investigative interviewers; determine what caused the deficit if one existed; and to develop some remedial recommendations based upon the data which were derived from the research.

Given the goals of this project, the research methodology was designed to gather data relative to: (a) what the literature suggested a being requisite skills for optimal performance; (b) perceived actual performance; (c) the causes of any identified performance gaps; and (d) suggested solutions to identified performance deficits. The research population consisted of social workers, police officers, subject matter experts, Children, Youth and Families attorneys and District Attorneys from 15 counties in New Mexico. Several tools were employed to collect the data. These tools included structured individual interviews, focus groups, critical incident reviews, observations, and end-user surveys.

The data analysis revealed several issues. There appears to be a gap in both the skill and knowledge level of child sexual abuse investigators. These deficits vary based upon the discipline and the specific skill investigated. There also appears to be systemic issues such as turnover, inter-organizational goal incompatibility, incongruent standard operating procedure, and faulty job design which have impacted unfavorably upon the performance of child sexual abuse investigators.

Since there were performance issues at both the performer and system levels of the investigative process, remedial interventions were recommended at both levels. Although the data did indicate a need to intervene to improve the multi-use interviewer function, there was no clear indication of any particular factor or cluster of factors which contributed to this need more than any other. From this researcher's perspective the need to intervene was justified based on the data collectively. Given this perspective, the following recommendations were put forth.

Recommendation #1: Field test and refine the Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales.

Recommendation #2: Develop and implement a system of cross-training designed to enhance the knowledge base of child sexual abuse investigative interviewers.

Recommendation #3: Develop and implement a system of cross-training designed to enhance the skill level (application) of child sexual abuse investigative interviewers.

Recommendation #4: Encourage the formal training institutions to focus curriculum on the specifics of multidisciplinary, multi-use investigatory interviewing.

Recommendation #5: Develop and implement rigorous hiring standards for those individuals entering the forensic interviewing field.

Recommendation #6: Implement a job design model which addresses the issues of role conflict, role demand, and turnover which surround the forensic investigator position.

Recommendation #7: Design and implement legislative and administrative strategies which would make inter-organizational goals and standard operating procedures more compatible.

Recommendation #8: Develop and implement a statewide computer network designed to provide forensic interviewers with resources which would otherwise not be available.

Recommendation #9: Develop and implement a resource allocation model designed to assist communities in making training and development decisions. Qualitative research of this type in other states, including those with larger and more dense population bases would be recommended.

It is hoped that this research will provoke all those individuals who are direct practitioners, managers, researchers, financial supporters, and legislators to continue to be vigilant in their concentration on the issues facing children and families who have fallen prey to the ills of child sexual abuse. One thing is clear. The controversy around child sexual abuse is likely to wax rather than wane. For the sake of the victims whether they be the children or possibly the falsely accused, it will be more important tomorrow than today that competent interviewers be working in strong investigatory systems. Hopefully this research will help to move our nation's communities towards accomplishing this goal.

Degree Name

Sociology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Sociology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Frank Resolvert Field

Second Committee Member

Paul D. Steele

Third Committee Member

Julia Barker

Fourth Committee Member

Jeffrey L. Dalia

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Comments

The UNMUL recognizes that due to its historical nature, this item may have content that is biased, harmful, and oppressive.

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