Forensic Services


The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance’s team of expert forensic interviewers are trained to talk with children. The purpose of the forensic interview is to obtain a statement from the child, in a developmentally and culturally sensitive, unbiased and fact-finding manner that will support accurate and fair decision making by the various members of the multi-disciplinary team.


During these interviews, which generally last from 30 to 60 minutes, the child and interviewer talk in a child-friendly interview room, surrounded by colorfully painted walls, comfortable child-sized tables and chairs, crayons, and markers. Children are asked a series of non-leading, age appropriate questions that are designed to allow them to talk about what happened.


The entire interview is watched through closed circuit television by a police officer from the Special Victims Unit and by a caseworker from the Department of Human Services. The interview is also taped for later viewing by a prosecutor from the District Attorney’s Office and may later be used in court. 

Learn more in the video below:

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