Abstract
Over the past several decades, research in memory development has steadily moved from research labs to real-world settings. With a significant focus beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s on children’s memory, particularly in events they have witnessed or participated in. This study examines the development of children’s autobiographical memory and its application in forensic interviews, specifically focusing on the effectiveness of two interview protocols, Tom Lyons 10-Step Investigative Interview and Karen Saywitz’s Narrative Elaborative Technique (NET), in eliciting accurate information from children aged 3-5 years.
Research suggests that children with more knowledge about an experienced event later recall more details. However, the method of questioning is critical; open-ended prompts are necessary to avoid suggestive questioning during interviews. The ability to recall specific events and general knowledge about oneself improves significantly during preschool years, which impacts how children respond to interview questions.
In this study, I hypothesized that older children would provide more accurate information and make fewer errors. Sixty-two mother-child dyads participated, with children engaged in structured activities followed by interviews using one of two protocols interviews were one week later. The study aims to determine which protocol elicits the most accurate information with the fewest errors. Findings from this research will contribute to improving forensic interview techniques, thereby enhancing the accuracy of children’s testimonies in legal contexts.