Since you requested it, this month’s word is forensic.
You may remember that my grandmother encouraged me to learn the origins of words to truly understand them. The Latin roots of forensic refer to the public forum—like court and pursuing legal matters. Even in ancient Rome, science and careful questioning were essential to understanding what really happened. Not much has changed.
At Dearing House, every forensic interview of a child is grounded in the science of investigating crime.
A forensic interview is a neutral, legally defensible, recorded conversation conducted by a specially trained professional. The goal is to gather information from a child about possible abuse or exposure to violence in a way that is safe, supportive, and research-based.
Over 2,500 children have been interviewed at Dearing House since 2003!
Our highest priority is reducing trauma to these kids. A carefully conducted interview allows investigators to gather needed information while protecting the child from repeated questioning.
And here’s where words really matter.
To ensure that a child’s words are heard and understood, the interviewer’s words are chosen with extraordinary care. Every question must be non-leading, age-appropriate, and open-ended, allowing the child to describe experiences in their own language.
Even tiny words can make a big difference.
For example, our training teaches interviewers to avoid pronouns. In everyday conversation we might ask, “When did it happen?” But in forensic science, the word it can create confusion—especially for children who may have experienced multiple unsafe situations. The child may answer a different question than the one we intended.
Yes/no questions are also avoided because they don’t invite the details needed for understanding.
Every question in a forensic interview is shaped by research on how children understand language and how memory works. Using this science helps ensure the child’s information is as accurate and reliable as possible.
Forensic interviews are the foundation for further investigation. Law enforcement, child welfare, and sometimes the courts use this information to decide next steps to protect the child and, when appropriate, hold an offender accountable.
There is one myth we should clear up: a forensic interview does not always mean a child won’t have to testify. That’s an important topic we’ll explore in a future post.
As always, thank you for wanting to understand the work of Dearing House. If you ever have questions, we would love to hear from you.  Your support and encouragement make a difference every day!  What do you want to learn next month?
Because words matter. 💛