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. 2023 May 31;31(2):274-292.
doi: 10.1080/13218719.2023.2192260. eCollection 2024.

Increasing disclosures of older adult maltreatment: a review of best practices for interviewing older adult eyewitnesses and victims

Joshua Wyman  1 , Lindsay Malloy  2
Affiliations

Increasing disclosures of older adult maltreatment: a review of best practices for interviewing older adult eyewitnesses and victims

Joshua Wyman et al. Psychiatr Psychol Law. .

Abstract

The current article provides a contemporary review of the best practices for interviewing older adults about crimes they witnessed or experienced. Specifically, we provide a detailed overview of how investigators can use a range of interviewing adaptations and procedures to acquire detailed and accurate maltreatment disclosures from older adults. In addition to discussing well-established investigative interviewing practices (e.g. rapport building, free-recall, cognitive instructions and prompts), this article also summarizes more recent literature on the benefits of multidisciplinary investigations, use of assistive technology and interview accommodations, along with effective practices for working with minority and marginalized older adults. Lastly, several research, professional and policy recommendations are provided for supporting older adults during investigative interviews.

Keywords: diversity; eyewitness reporting; interviewing; law enforcement; maltreatment; memory; older adults; policing; public policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Joshua Wyman has declared no conflicts of interest Lindsay Malloy has declared no conflicts of interest

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