Trauma Informed Interviews

But why is trauma informed interviewing so important?

Well, for starters, it can help to reduce the risk of retraumatizing individuals who have experienced trauma. Traditional interview techniques like aggressive questioning or pressuring individuals to recall details can be triggering for some people, causing them to shut down or become defensive. Trauma informed interviewing, on the other hand, emphasizes creating a safe and supportive environment for the interviewee and giving them control over the process. This can help to reduce anxiety and stress, allowing the individual to feel more comfortable sharing their experiences.

Another great thing about trauma informed interviewing is that it can lead to more accurate and reliable information. When individuals feel safe and supported, they are more likely to be able to recall details accurately and provide information that is relevant to the investigation. Trauma informed interviewing also recognizes that traumatic experiences can impact memory and may cause individuals to forget or distort certain details. By using open-ended questions and allowing the individual to share their experiences in their own words, investigators can gain a more complete picture of what happened.

So how can investigators incorporate trauma informed interviewing into criminal investigations?

It all starts with receiving training on trauma informed interviewing techniques. There are many resources available online and in-person that can provide guidance on how to conduct trauma informed interviews. It’s important for investigators to understand the impact of trauma on individuals and to recognize the signs of trauma in interviewees.

Creating a safe and supportive environment for the interviewee is also crucial. This can include things like allowing the individual to bring a support person with them, providing a private and comfortable setting for the interview, and allowing the individual to take breaks as needed. It’s important for investigators to be empathetic and non-judgmental and to avoid using language or behaviors that could be triggering or retraumatizing.

In addition to creating a safe and supportive environment, investigators should also be mindful of the language and questioning techniques they use during the interview. Open-ended questions that allow the individual to share their experiences in their own words can be effective, as can using techniques such as active listening and reflective questioning. It’s important for investigators to avoid leading questions or making assumptions about the individual’s experiences, as this can impact the accuracy and reliability of the information obtained.

The Use of Questions

Using open-ended questioning techniques is a key aspect of trauma informed interviewing. By asking questions that encourage the interviewee to provide more detailed and accurate information about their experiences, investigators can avoid pressuring or coercing the interviewee. Examples of open-ended questions include “Can you tell me more about what happened?”, “How did that make you feel?”, and “What were you thinking at the time?”.

Active listening and reflective questioning are two other techniques that can be helpful in trauma informed interviewing. Active listening involves giving the interviewee your full attention, nodding your head to show understanding, and summarizing what they have said to ensure that you have understood them correctly. Reflective questioning involves reflecting back what the interviewee has said, in order to clarify or expand upon their statements.

Incorporating these techniques into trauma informed interviewing can help to create a safe and supportive environment for the interviewee and can lead to more accurate and reliable information. By using open-ended questions, active listening, and reflective questioning, investigators can encourage the interviewee to share their experiences in their own words and can avoid leading or suggestive questioning techniques that can impact the accuracy of the information obtained.

Overall, trauma informed interviewing is an effective approach to criminal investigations that prioritizes the safety and well-being of individuals who have experienced trauma. By incorporating these techniques into their interviews, investigators can obtain more accurate and reliable information that is relevant to the investigation. It is important for law enforcement agencies to provide training and resources for their officers to learn about trauma informed interviewing, and to implement this approach into their investigations. By doing so, they can not only improve the quality of their investigations, but also build trust with the community and reduce the risk of retraumatizing individuals who have already experienced significant hardship.