The Impact of Interview Techniques and Their Contextual Application on the Reliability of Childrens Testimony

Throughout history, the authenticity and credibility of childrens eyewitness testimony have been subjects of ongoing debate among researchers. Our study examines previous research on factors affecting the accuracy and reliability of childrens testimony, highlighting how external factors, particularly interview elements, significantly contribute to childrens false reports without dismissing their testimony solely based on age. These factors include question types, interviewer's attitudes, and specific interview protocols. These findings are crucial for the legal system, highlighting how external factors significantly contribute to childrens false reports without dismissing their testimony solely due to age. Finally, most studies have been conducted in Western country's contexts and might have been arguably affected by Western cultural norms. This paper also pointed out the lack of studies on cultural differences between Western and non-Western countries. Addressing this gap could provide new research directions for future scholars. Overall, we emphasize the need for meticulous interviewing techniques tailored to different contexts to increase the accuracy and trustworthiness of childrens statements.