This publication explores best practices in child maltreatment evidence collection, alongside highlighting new considerations for child abuse evidence recognition and investigative collaboration.
This publication is a practical companion to our treatise on Child Statement and Forensic Interview Admissibility. The publication synthesizes case law, state statutes, and hearsay exceptions, into 11 basic strategies for prosecutors to admit forensic interviews and child statements into evidence.
This new publication explores the nuanced techniques necessary for cross-examination in child abuse cases. The guide provides 22 techniques split into four categories ranging from fundamental to advanced tactics. Each technique includes sample lines of questioning for easy adaptation by frontline prosecutors.
This scholarly publication will discuss how trauma informed care provides a framework for the use of child sexual abuse materials during a forensic interview. It further assists forensic interviewers in identifying alternatives to this potentially harmful practice.
As court cases increasingly involve the use of digital evidence, the demand for experts who can evaluate how that evidence was collected and analyzed—and then explain that process to the court— has also grown. This article provides attorneys with a baseline understanding to help them better assess potential digital forensic experts.
This new publication from Zero Abuse Project discusses best practice and different modalities for conducting forensic interviews. We can no longer only consider single, traditional forensic interviews as best practice. The article will discuss three different options for conducting purposeful and legally defensible interviews, specifically follow-up interviews.
Trial exhibits can tell a story, compare and contrast, persuade, and help jurors reach judgments. This paper is how trial lawyers can show in order to tell.
The article provides practical tips for cross examining a defense expert called to critique the quality of a forensic interview. The importance of using the direct examination of the forensic interviewer to set up the eventual cross examination of the defense expert is also discussed.
“Interviewing Lucas” is a case-study on polyvictimization that examines the importance of screening for all forms of maltreatment during child forensic interviews and highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to allegations of child maltreatment.
This article explores the research on the sexual abuse of boys and offers concrete suggestions for conducting forensic interviews with these children, investigating crimes against boys, and presenting these cases to a jury.
This article provides 7 advanced strategies for prosecutors, as well as guidance for dealing with cloud providers and other stakeholders. Zero Abuse Project developed this article to serve as a reference for prosecutors and investigators facing challenges when working cases involving remotely stored data.
This article provides 8 introductory considerations for prosecutors, and addresses the complexity and challenges faced when working cases involving remotely stored and encrypted data. It also explores investigative procedures and legal process best practices when obtaining electronic evidence.
Prosecutors handling cases involving children with disabilities must be prepared to serve and advocate for individual child victims’ unique physical, cognitive, and/or emotional needs. This guide will address each of these components of the prosecution, and conclude with sample motions to implement recommendations.
This article offers factors to consider when forensic interviewers and child abuse multidisciplinary team (MDT) members are preparing the forensic interview and MDT process for children with disabilities.
Even though signed search warrants are legally binding court orders, Big Tech still may not comply. This guide acknowledges common privacy concerns that make data more difficult for the government to obtain, and lays out six strategies for prosecutors confronting objections from electronic service providers.
Seeking to introduce a forensic interview is not an ancillary matter in child abuse prosecution. In many cases, it is the most critical, persuasive piece of evidence for the jury’s consideration. This guide will equip entry level prosecutors with an understanding of relevant admissibility law in their jurisdiction, and encourage seasoned prosecutors to take a fresh look at the several viable options for forensic interview admissibility.
When properly used, anatomical diagrams and dolls are supported by peer reviewed studies. This law review article details this research and offers guidance to the field and to courts in defending these tools in court.
This article provides a roadmap for child abuse prosecutors to use in drafting and delivering an opening statement or closing argument.
To protect children from confusing, even abusive practices while testifying, and to facilitate testimony that is fair and accurate, there are seven pre-trial motions prosecutors should file in most, if not every, case of child maltreatment.
Assessment of Menlo Church’s Response to a Congregant Expressing an Attraction to Children In December of 2020, Zero Abuse Project entered into a contract with Menlo Church to assess whether a former volunteer, who had confided to having an attraction to children, had engaged in any acts of sexual misconduct. Zero Abuse interviewed 104 witnesses and reviewed or analyzed more
Digital evidence is increasingly stored remotely on servers across state lines, around the globe, and beyond. Accordingly, prosecuting technology-facilitated child abuse in the 21st century requires a familiarity with the Stored Communications Act, trajectory of Fourth Amendment jurisprudence, and complex international considerations. Robert Peters and colleagues have written a pioneering law review article to equip prosecutors with strategies for obtaining
Expert testimony on the forensic interview remains a relatively new subject with significant variations from state to state, and even judge to judge as to what is permissible. To assist prosecutors, forensic interviewers and other professionals, Victor Vieth has written a comprehensive law review article that summarizes the case law on this subject and proposes guidelines for the scope of expert testimony from the forensic interviewer
The Center for Child Advocacy Studies is a program of Zero Abuse Project that works in partnership with institutions of higher education throughout the United States to fully prepare future child protection professionals to adequately recognize, report, and respond to child maltreatment.
As the COVID-19 pandemic produces quarantines, school closures, and limited interactions between children and mandated reporters, prosecutors and other members of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) will likely be confronted with two challenges.
Many child protection professionals believe child abuse is likely to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic because most abusers are parents or siblings who now have more complete access to the child victim.
Zero Abuse Project is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to the elimination of child sexual abuse. Our programs are designed to provide training and education to professionals and students, and to help transform institutions to effectively prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse.
