Title IX Investigations: The Importance of Training Investigators in Evidence-Based Approaches to Interviewing

Publication date: Available online 29 September 2019Source: Journal of Applied Research in Memory and CognitionAuthor(s): Christian A. Meissner, Adrienne M. LylesUnder Title IX, schools in the United States that receive federal financial assistance are legally required to provide a prompt and impartial process for investigating complaints of sex-based discrimination. These investigations critically rely upon information obtained in interviews. We provide an evaluation of interview training that is presently available to college and university Title IX investigators. Our review finds that while certain core interviewing skills align with evidence-based practice and available research, other suggested practices are at odds with the available science, and additional effective interviewing practices related to the retrieval of memory and the assessment of credibility are critically absent. We recommend a set of evidence-based practices for Title IX investigative interviews that are likely to (a) improve the development of rapport and cooperation with an interviewee, (b) elicit more accurate and relevant information from memory, and (c) enhance assessments of credibility when applying strategic questioning approaches.
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research