The National Children's Advocacy Center (NCAC)
Extended Forensic Evaluation Model

Information to be Gathered During Forensic Evaluation

The NCAC forensic evaluation protocol was designed as a fact-finding system to be used in gathering information which will assist prosecutory and child protective decisions. A secondary purpose of the protocol is to gather information regarding the child's trauma issues if abuse has occurred and to establish a foundation for the healing process.

Fact-Finding

Specific details and information pertaining to alleged or suspected abuse must be gathered. More specific and detailed disclosures generally have higher credibility. Some of the facts gathered include:

• Specific details: The who, what, when, where and how of the alleged offense(s)
• Developmental factors: How the child's developmental level relates to any disclosures obtained
• Motivational factors affecting the disclosure
• Alternative explanations for the disclosure

By carefully gathering detailed facts, the forensic evaluator can increase the chances of successful prosecution and/or provide enough additional information for CPS to support child protective measures.

Trauma Assessment

Throughout the evaluation, the evaluator is looking for possible signs of trauma. Full-fledged Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is present in only about 20-30% of children during initial investigation (Friedrich, 1990). However, individual symptoms incorporated in the PTSD diagnosis are seen frequently. A few of the symptoms commonly observed include: detachment from others, decreasing interest in activities, sleep problems, outbursts of anger and increased behavioral problems. In addition to these acute trauma symptoms, there are a number of traumagenic states commonly seen in children who have been abused, including: powerlessness, loss and betrayal, stigmatization, eroticization, destructiveness and attachment disorder (James, 1989). The child is observed throughout the evaluation for acute trauma symptoms, as well as the more generalized traumagenic states. On completion, if the child is exhibiting signs of trauma, the evaluator makes appropriate treatment recommendations. The assessment process provides a foundation for the healing process for sexually abused children because an important component of the recovery process is the ability to discuss the events in a safe and accepting environment.