In this 3-day course, teams of prosecutors and forensic interviewers participate in a portion of a mock trial in which the prosecutor conducts a direct examination of the forensic interviewer. An attorney portraying a defense attorney then cross examines the forensic interviewer and the prosecutor conducts a re-direct. In addition, a defense expert critiques the forensic interview and the prosecutor must cross-examine the defense expert. For each exercise, the interviewers and prosecutors are critiqued. The course also includes several workshops of the latest research on forensic interviewing, the scope of expert testimony from a forensic interviewer, and cross examining a defense expert.
Applications were due February 28, 2021, however we will continue to consider applications on a rolling basis.
Sample Agenda
Day One
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. | Welcome and introductions |
| 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Child abuse interviews – an overview |
| 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Testifying in court |
| 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch break |
| 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Evaluating children’s interviews |
| 2:45 – 3:00 p.m. | Break |
| 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Current research |
| 4:30 – 5 p.m. | Team meetings/Witness preparation |
Day Two
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:10 a.m. | Exercise overview |
| 8:10 – 9:30 a.m. | Exercise: Direct examination/cross examination |
| 9:30 – 9:40 a.m. | Break |
| 9:40 – 12:00 p.m. | Exercise: Direct examination/cross examination |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 3:10 p.m. | Exercise: Direct examination/cross examination |
| 3:10 – 3:20 p.m. | Break |
| 3:20 – 4:50 p.m. | When the smoke clears: Cross examination of the defense expert’s attack on a forensic interview |
| 4:50 – 5:00 p.m. | Review & wrap-up |
Day Three
| Time | Title |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Exercise: Re-direct of the forensic interviewer |
| 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | Break |
| 9:45 – 11:30 a.m. | Corroborating the forensic interview |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. | Exercise: Cross examination of the expert witness |
| 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. | Break |
| 2:15 – 4:30 p.m. | Exercise: Cross examination of the expert witness |
| 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Course debrief and closing remarks |
Testimonials
“Best course I’ve attended since graduating from law school.”
“I really enjoyed the excerpts from transcripts and the way Victor Vieth would demonstrate how the questioning would actually go.”
“Best part of the training was knowing better about updated research that I can use during court as well as explaining drawings, dolls and new techniques.“
“…learning skills through lecture and then actually getting a chance to roleplay skills taught.“
“Great detail with specific references we can take back for use in our local jurisdictions.”
