Table Of ContentThis newly-revised volume on interviewing children is up-to-date,
comprehensive, and accessibly written, including recent scientific evi-
dence as well as actual case studies. The authors are outstanding con-
tributors to this field, both as scientists and practitioners. This new
edition goes beyond considering children’s memory in isolation and
embeds it within what is known of their social and emotional func-
tioning. It will be a major resource for both child protection professionals
and researchers.
— Stephen J. Ceci, Ph.D.,
The H. L. Carr Chaired Professor
of Developmental Psychology,
Cornell University
Such a joy to read the new edition of “Tell Me What Happened”. For
two decades Lamb and colleagues have profoundly shaped the field
and practice of forensically interviewing children and adolescents
through meticulous research, exceptional and sensitive presentation of
information, clear guidance, and practical suggestions. Building on the
early work introducing us to a structured protocol and promoting the
use of retrieval prompts and strategies for mining children’s recall
memory for personal experiences, the revised protocol tackles the bar-
riers encountered by interviewers questioning reluctant children. The
authors invite us to appreciate the great hurdles faced by children dur-
ing the investigative process and interview, observe closely children’s
active and passive forms of resistance, and provide non-suggestive
support through statements and behaviors. We are encouraged once
again to move into more sensitive and skillful practice.
— Linda Cordisco Steele, M.Ed., LPC,
National Children’s Advocacy Center
Wiley Series in
the Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law
Series Editors
Graham M. Davies1 and Ray Bull2
1University of Leicester, UK
2University of Derby, UK
The Wiley Series in the Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law publishes concise and
integrative reviews on important emerging areas of contemporary research. The purpose
of the series is not merely to present research findings in a clear and readable form but
also to bring out their implications for both practice and policy. Books in this series are
useful not only to psychologists, but also to all those involved in crime detection and
prevention, child protection, policing and judicial processes.
For other titles in this series please see www.wiley.com/go/pcpl
Tell Me What Happened
Questioning Children About Abuse
Second Edition
Michael E. Lamb, Deirdre A. Brown,
Irit Hershkowitz, Yael Orbach,
and Phillip W. Esplin
This edition first published 2018
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Edition History
John Wiley & Sons Ltd (1e, 2008).
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The right of Michael E. Lamb, Deirdre A. Brown, Irit Hershkowitz, Yael Orbach, and Phillip W.
Esplin to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with law.
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Library of Congress Cataloging‐in‐Publication Data
Names: Lamb, Michael E., 1953– author. | Brown, Deirdre Ann, 1973– author. |
Hershkowitz, Irit, author.
Title: Tell me what happened : questioning children about abuse / Michael E. Lamb,
Deirdre A. Brown, Irit Hershkowitz, Yael Orbach, Phillip W. Esplin.
Description: Second Edition. | Hoboken : Wiley, [2018] | Series: The psychology of crime, policing
and law | Revised edition of Tell me what happened, 2008. | Includes bibliographical references
and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2018008932 (print) | LCCN 2018025471 (ebook) | ISBN 9781118881637 (pdf) |
ISBN 9781118881651 (epub) | ISBN 9781118881675 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781118881637 (ePDF)
Subjects: LCSH: Child abuse–Investigation. | Interviewing in child abuse. | Abused children. |
Child witnesses.
Classification: LCC HV8079.C46 (ebook) | LCC HV8079.C46 L36 2018 (print) |
DDC 363.25/95554–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018008932
Cover image: © ClarkandCompany/iStockphoto
Cover design by Wiley
Set in 10/12pt NewCenturySchlbk by SPi Global, Pondicherry, India
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
We dedicate this book to the memory of Kathleen Sternberg, a passionate advocate for
evidence‐based practice who died tragically young. She was integrally involved in the
research leading to development of and initial evaluation of the NICHD Protocol.
Contents
About the Authors ix
Series Preface xi
Preface xv
1 Interviewing Children About Abuse: An Overview
and Introduction 1
2 Contributions to Children’s Testimony: The Child
and the Event 11
3 Contributions to Testimony: Preparation for the Interview
and Questioning Strategies 47
4 How do Investigators Typically Interview Alleged Victims? 67
5 The NICHD Investigative Interview Protocols for Young
Victims and Witnesses 87
6 When Interviewers Follow the Protocol, What Impact Does it
Have on Their Interviewing and on Children’s Responding? 101
7 Interviewing Suspected Victims under Six Years of Age 119
8 Interviewing Children with Developmental Disabilities 137
9 The Revised Protocol: Effectively Supporting Reluctant
Witnesses 161
10 Using Tools and Props to Complement the Protocol 189
11 Training and Maintaining Good Interviewing Practice 201
12 Case‐related Outcomes When the Protocol is Used 213
13 Progress to Date and the Challenges Ahead 225
viii Contents
Revised Investigative Interview Protocol: Version 2018 239
References 251
Index 315
