Child Protection Investigation Specialist (CPIS) Practice Exam

What type of cases typically require a forensic interview?

1. Those involving neglect

2. Those involving financial fraud

3. Those involving sexual abuse

4. Those involving educational neglect

The correct answer is: Those involving sexual abuse

Forensic interviews are specifically designed to collect accurate information from children regarding allegations of abuse or other forms of trauma, particularly in situations where there are concerns about the child's safety and well-being. Cases involving sexual abuse often require this specialized interviewing technique because they necessitate careful, sensitive, and structured questioning to obtain a clear understanding of what occurred while minimizing the risk of further trauma to the child. The aim is to gather factual information that can stand up in a legal context while ensuring the child feels safe and supported during the process. In contrast, cases involving neglect, financial fraud, or educational neglect may involve different investigative approaches. While those cases are serious and may require in-depth investigation, they typically do not necessitate the same level of sensitivity and specialized interviewing that a forensic interview provides when determining the circumstances surrounding potential sexual abuse. Therefore, the nature of the allegations and the need for careful information gathering delineates when a forensic interview is most appropriate, affirming that sexual abuse cases are the primary context where these interviews are essential.