Pages: 6

This chapter undertakes an introduction to the book's themes, its origins, and its purpose. It provides a rationale for its purpose as well as coverage of scientific developments and recent changes, most notably that of the UN declaration of the M é ndez Principles in 2021, while discussing states’ responses to that declaration, which provides further evidence of the need for the Handbook. This introduction also details the structure of the Handbook and signposts various initiatives that will provide opportunities to underpin implementation of the principles.

Pages: 96

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 15

The chapter covers the current practice of police interviewing in Czech Republic. There is an introduction to the country, and retrospective coverage of the manner in which current practices have evolved, taking into account landmarks in legislative changes. The text is based on relevant literature and training materials, that create a basis for the education and training of the interviewing strategies. Special attention is given to the practice of interviewing children and victims of crimes, though there is focus too on interviewing witnesses and suspects. Analysis of available interviewing techniques and tactics is included. Implications are also discussed and a comparison between current practices and the Méndez Principles.

Pages: 14

In the isolated and small community of Iceland, investigative interviewing practices have slowly evolved over a long period of time. Iceland has not seen many high-profile miscarriages-of-justice cases. However, this chapter provides coverage of the most infamous miscarriage-of-justice case in Iceland. Lessons learned from this case have influenced developments in investigative interviewing practices and moved away from confrontational and coercive practices that were found present in interviews with the six suspects. However, investigative interviewing practices have been found to have only slowly evolved. Major policy changes in training occurred in the early 2000s, followed by legislative changes in 2009. More recent research has shown improvements and that less oppressive methods are being used. However, as we discuss in the chapter, improvements still need to be made in many areas such as policy, training, and practice to fully implement ethical interviewing that is compliant with the Méndez Principles.

Pages: 12

The chapter will focus on the interviewing adult witnesses and suspects in Lithuania. Later in this volume, there is a separate chapter that concerns the interviewing of children in this country. In this chapter, coverage concerning how investigative interviewing/interrogation policing have evolved historically in the country will be presented. An historical context is provided in the chapter that reflects how current practices have emerged. Relevant research conducted within the Lithuanian context so far will also be reviewed. Current training given to police investigators will be discussed. Finally, the contemporary situation of interviewing/interrogation in Lithuania will be contrasted with the best evidence-based and ethical international practices, and implications for law, policing, and practice will be provided. There is also discussion as to how current practices compare to the Méndez Principles.

Pages: 13

This chapter examines the current interviewing practices of victims, witnesses, and suspected offenders in the Philippines. There is an introduction to the country, and retrospective coverage of the manner in which current practices have evolved, taking into account landmarks in legislative changes. This is done by evaluating the following: (1) relevant documents such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) criminal investigation manuals, standard operating procedures, and other legal documents; (2) training and other professional development programmes that Filipino police officers undergo as investigators; (3) the physical setting of a typical police station where investigative interviews are usually conducted; (4) actual recordings of investigative interviews reflecting best and emerging practices; and (5) documents required to be produced by investigative officers after the conduct of an investigative interview. Implications for law, policy, and practice will be discussed in the light of the issues. Implications will also be discussed regarding a comparison between current practices and the Méndez Principles.

Pages: 12

The Serbian legislation strictly covers investigative interviewing with the interrogation, but also introduces police questioning with small differences in relation to interrogation. In this chapter, there is an introduction to the country, and retrospective coverage of the manner in which current practices have evolved, taking into account landmarks in legislative changes. In the chapter, the authors cover these differences, and special activities undertaken by both the police and public prosecutor. All differences are mainly related to the status of the interviewee – whether or not he or she is a suspect, a minor, or a witness. The authors cover all aspects of the examination of victims, witnesses, and suspects, including interviewing children regarding their status within the law framework of the Republic of Serbia. Implications will also be discussed regarding a comparison between current practices and the Méndez Principles.

Pages: 17

In this chapter, we first describe the current police model and the police structure in Spain, and summarise the legislation regulating witness, victim, and suspect interviewing in the country. Next, we briefly describe the results of the only two empirical studies on suspect interviewing practices in Spain we are aware of, explain the different levels of (interview) training that Spanish officers undergo, refer to two particularly well-trained specialised police sections, and discuss prior and current collaborations between the police and psychological scientists in the country. We close the chapter by placing police interviewing in Spain in the context of the Méndez Principles and by highlighting three key issues that emerge from the chapter.

Pages: 11

Investigative interviewing procedures and legislation have witnessed significant changes in Taiwan since 2012. For instance, the NICHD interview protocol was introduced for child witness interviews since 2012, and relevant training in child development and interview techniques became mandatory for police, legal, and social services professionals working with children. However, adjustments for vulnerable suspects have not been as substantial as those for vulnerable witnesses. In this chapter, the authors will review recent policies and available evidence from Taiwan to illustrate current practice and recent developments in interviewing practice. Practical challenges and future directions for development and improvement will conclude this chapter.

Pages: 228

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 13

As introduction to the section on interviewing suspects, I put forth a comprehensive model that focuses on three interdependent goals of an interview: overcoming suspect resistance, detecting deception, and eliciting accurate information, including admissions and reliable confessions. These outcomes are examined theoretically through the effects of three separate but related clusters of interviewing methods: techniques employed, questions asked, and interviewer disposition. This model represents an ethical approach to interviewing suspects in accordance with the Méndez Principles that may or may not be currently employed in the countries represented in this section; however, it is one that practitioners and policymakers in these (and other) nations may use to establish an ethical framework for investigative interviewing and one that researchers can use as a standard against which evolving interviewing practices are evaluated.

Pages: 17

This chapter examines the legal and practical implementation of procedural safeguards in criminal proceedings in Austria, with a focus on the implementation of and conformity with the Méndez Principles. Further, the chapter delves into recent developments, emphasising the need for additional supportive measures, especially for persons in vulnerable situations, such as children and persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. The legal framework in Austria largely aligns with international human rights conventions and the Méndez Principles, including the prohibition of torture, fair trial rights, and non-discrimination, yet challenges persist with regard to some legal aspects and practical implementation. The chapter scrutinises the legal reforms in the last decades and their impacts on suspect rights, specifically focusing on the transposition of the EU Directives on Procedural Rights. While positive developments are acknowledged, concerns about implementing certain procedural rights, such as ensuring an informed understanding of rights, promoting equality of arms, and systematically evaluating trust-based interviewing methods, are raised. In its conclusion, the chapter provides concrete recommendations for future applied research, calls for a robust legal aid system and enhanced access to a lawyer, and advocates for continuous evaluation and independent monitoring to strengthen policing based on public trust.

Pages: 12

The case of an abducted schoolgirl in Narayanganj where the accused falsely confessed to rape and murder indicates the inherent weaknesses of some of the methods for the interrogation of suspects. In general, police investigators in Bangladesh rely more heavily on confessional evidence than forensic evidence. There have been allegations that the police use coercive techniques during the interrogation to obtain confessions of guilt. Based on the qualitative interview data, this study attempts to shed light on the police interrogation practices in Bangladesh. Data were collected from a convenience sample of investigating officers who are involved in interrogations of suspects at police stations and other investigative units of the Bangladesh Police. These interviews suggest that presently the predominant method of interrogation is the statement analysis technique, which is largely accusatory (guilt presumptive) in nature. Although the practice of using physical coercion has started to change towards psychological manipulation, the due process protection for suspects during police interrogation remains problematic. In this chapter, we examine how the police investigators in Bangladesh conduct their interrogations of suspects and to what extent the interrogation practices are guided by the international legal framework for preventing unethical practices. We also identify the perceived challenges to shifting toward ethical investigative interviews.

Pages: 10

This chapter contributes to the understanding of police interrogation of suspects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To gain insight into this, an introduction to the country is first provided, and this is followed by coverage of the legal and investigative framework of police interrogation. Since very little is known in our country about how law enforcement agencies conduct interrogations of suspects in practice, an overview of available data from research and specific reports is provided in order to identify the underlying trends and patterns of police techniques and tactics used. There is also material included on the training provided to the police in Sarajevo. Finally, the authors reach conclusions and make suggestions for improving the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Pages: 10

Brazil, culturally pictured as a friendly country of Carnival, Rio, and Samba, currently hosts a crimes scenario that posts challenges to the justice system. Brazil hosts 2.7% of the global population, but accounts for 20% of homicides in the world (United Nations Office on Crimes and Drugs, 2020). The way police officers conduct suspect interrogations can directly impact the efficiency of criminal investigations and the pursuit of fairer and more equitable justice; however, current practices in interrogation are still understudied in Brazil. This chapter will briefly address the history of suspect interrogation in Brazil, highlighting the need to understand and overcome coercive practices. Current efforts to refine interrogation techniques will be explored, focusing on the investigative interview as an evidence-based approach. Additionally, the importance of using impact metrics to assess the effectiveness of the investigative interview and promote a more just and human rights-respecting criminal justice system will be discussed.

Pages: 19

The digitisation of governmental services in Egypt affected the public prosecution office and the methods of transcription prosecutors use to write their interrogation reports. The aim of the chapter is to, first, diachronically track the evolution of the transcription method from the pre-2020 era (handwritten interrogation records) to the post-2020 electronic era (typed interrogation records). Second, it examines what happens to the accuracy of the record when a written report is transformed into multiple oral and written narratives during the process of interrogation. Analysis showed that prosecutors and clerks still rely on a hard copy of the previous narratives and approach the suspects and witnesses in a similar manner to how they did pre-2020. Analysis also revealed that in order for the system to develop, more training should be offered to help prosecutors and clerks change the way they use earlier pieces of evidence, statements, and so forth. Further research on the nature of transcription might provide more insight on the legal and linguistic challenges that face legal professionals.

Pages: 15

It is a well-documented fact that investigation is at the heart of law enforcement agencies. The process of investigation includes gathering information from a variety of sources to achieve crime detection, which is a primary objective for the police. Interviews with suspects are of great importance and considered to be one of the most crucial stages of the investigative process; they are directly related to the solving of a crime and, as a result, to the proper administration of justice. The present chapter will provide an overview of current suspect interviewing practices in Greece and Cyprus and the developments that have taken place in the last few years, mainly in terms of training and procedures. The legal and regulatory frameworks in both these countries which govern such interviewing procedures will also be examined and areas of improvement will be identified which are closely associated with the adoption of the latest international guidelines.

Pages: 13

Obtaining testimonial evidence and confessions can only be undertaken by interviewing and interrogation, and these play a paramount role in criminal investigations and in the criminal justice system, despite the rapid development of the scientific methods directed at obtaining physical evidence and digital evidence. Obtaining statements from a suspect in an overt way is only possible in the framework of interrogation, which has currently four forms in criminal cases in Hungary that will be described in the current chapter: the interrogation itself, the confrontation, the instrumental credibility examination of testimonies, and the interrogation at the crime scene. Additionally, there will be coverage of the country itself, a historical perspective of the previous approaches to interrogation, as well as discussion concerning contemporary methods in Hungary. Comparisons will be then made with the Méndez Principles.

Pages: 10

This chapter discusses in detail the police interrogation process in India, highlighting the interview process, techniques, the police training, and practice. An analysis of the statute, policy, and case analysis will be carried out to provide an overview of interrogation in India. This chapter will also analyse the Méndez Principles, looking into the credibility of their application in India.

Pages: 21

Similar to the development of the PEACE model of interviewing in England and Wales, necessary changes in the approach to police interviewing in Ireland were borne out of miscarriages of justice that resulted in a post-scandal programme of reform. High-profile enquiries highlighted an entrenched culture that promoted a confession-based approach to suspect interviewing. It was recommended that An Garda Síochána (the Irish police) adopt the PEACE model or a close equivalent. Consequently, a framework of investigative interviewing known as the Garda Síochána Interview Model (GSIM) was developed. This chapter explores the impetus for change, in historical, social, and political context; outlines the regulation of interviews with suspects; and provides comprehensive, up-to-date overviews of the GSIM and related police training. The compliance of the Irish system with the Méndez Principles, both in terms of the interviewing model and legal safeguards for suspects, is also examined.

Pages: 12

This chapter provides an overview, largely since 2010, of the investigative interviewing framework used by police officers in Malaysia, and the ways in which existing laws and organisational culture may impact law enforcement practices. A main issue in this respect is that there is a lack of publicly available general information on what investigative interview practices are commonly used in this country. There are only a handful of relevant published empirical research studies, and their sample sizes have been relatively small and limited to certain regions, making it challenging to gain a full picture of practices across the country. Drawing from surveys, interviews, and discussions in training workshops with police officers, this chapter focuses on exploring perspectives of interviewers about the techniques used in this country. This chapter also highlights the challenges of conducting research, evidence-based interviews, and training among the police force in high-power-distance societies such as Malaysia.

Pages: 13

This chapter focuses on the policing practices in Montenegro, as well as the police interviewing of suspects in this country in relation to the “Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering” (Mendez, 2021). The chapter first provides an overview of the country-specific context in this area of work, as well as of the training provided to officers who carry out the interviews. It further focuses on the area of forensic linguistics and its implications for investigative interviewing. Finally, the author analyses several extracts from naturally occurring conversations with suspects, drawing conclusions about their alignment with the Mendez principles and relevant recommendations for the practitioners.

Pages: 12

In Pakistan, it is primarily Criminal Procedure Code 1898 that deals with police interviews and investigation. Statements of the accused recorded by police officer during investigation have no evidentiary value except to corroborate or to explain any part of evidence in court of law. The defence must be supplied with a copy of the same to bring out the truthfulness of a witness. Records reveal criminal cases remained untraced for years because of a dearth of human and financial resources in police investigation. Investigation officers (IOs) are not well trained or aware of modern techniques and technology. This chapter will explore; (i) what kind of formal training police officers receive to conduct interviews with suspects, witnesses, and victims; (ii) what is the process to record interviews and statements; and (iii) what interview techniques the interviewers use. A discussion concerning the effect of the formal training, evidence gathering, and interviewing techniques on the outcome of criminal investigation in Pakistan will be provided.

Pages: 12

Known to be one of the safest countries in the world, Singapore is a small, highly urbanised city-state with a multicultural population of approximately 5.7 million located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The Singapore Police Force, an approximately 44,000-officer strong police force reputed for its efficiency and impartiality, is the primary law enforcement agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. The Singapore Police Force has a strong focus on innovation and has sought out best practices internationally over the years to enhance its capabilities to fight crime. In the domain of interviews with crime suspects, one outcome of this focus was the development and implementation of the FAIR investigative interviewing model in 2011 that guides Singapore police investigators in their interviewing approach and practice. Another outcome was the implementation of video-recorded interviews with crime suspects in 2018. This chapter provides an overview of police interviews in Singapore. It has a specific focus on police interviews with crime suspects and seeks to provide insights into the relevant legislation governing the conduct of police interviews in Singapore, the police force's interviewing approach and practices, and video-recorded interviews of crime suspects. The extant research (albeit limited) on police interviewing in Singapore will also be discussed.

Pages: 26

This chapter aims to describe the interview techniques (which for the purposes of this chapter, refers to suspect interviews/interrogations) used by police of the 11 Sub-Saharan African member nations of the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and discuss the opinions and experiences of the police who use them. A background of government structures, human rights provisions, and criminal procedures as related to police interviewing of suspects will be reviewed collectively for Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swazi Eswatini (formerly Liswati), Tanzania, and Zambia. Also, an overview of police interview research, training, and bounded authority in Sub-Sahara Africa will be discussed, followed by results from a self-report survey exploring the experiences and opinions of investigators regarding the techniques used, an interview protocol, and a conceptual sampling questionnaire to support the interview data.

Pages: 11

Legal procedural regulations provide a framework for admissible evidence in suspect interviews; psychological research has refined effective interview methods around the world. Most of the contemporary empirical findings suggest that criminal investigators should focus on facilitating the process of information-gathering rather than striving to obtain confessions from suspects. In line with these findings, the PEACE model from England and Wales as an information-gathering process is found to be more effective than unstructured or coercive models. The implementation of evidence practices in investigative interviews is a significant international concern, as underlined by the then UN Special Rapporteur Juan E. Méndez in his 2016 report to the UN General Assembly. Given that PEACE was originally developed in an adversarial system, some may argue is not likely to be applicable in inquisitory justice systems. In this chapter, I argue that as an investigative interview model, PEACE also fits well in inquisitorial Turkish justice system. The implementation of the paradigm shift is expected to be a complex process, in which the enhancement of legally and psychologically refined interview techniques, evidence-based in-service training for the practitioners, as well as modifications or elimination of existing ineffective practices are among essential steps. In conclusion, an international collaboration and partnership can facilitate the advancement of the field in accordance with evidence-based findings while conforming to international legal and ethical standards.

Pages: 82

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 17

We continue to see vivid accounts of new and ongoing human rights crises worldwide. One of our many thoughts about these crises is always concern about the quality of the victim and witness interviews (henceforth referred to as witness interviews) being conducted by those investigating such human rights abuses. We are acutely aware that the successful resolution of such investigations is fundamentally linked to obtaining detailed and accurate information from witnesses and victims, and that interviewing quality in the field is often imperfect. Obtaining high-quality information allows investigators to make informed and safe decisions that can stand up to scrutiny and allow courts/tribunals to bring perpetrators to justice, while also advancing other meaningful goals such as healing communities and building trust with investigative agencies and governments. Being able to achieve the aforementioned investigative interviewing goals requires interviewers that are proficient in the delivery of ethical, culturally-appropriate, science-based interviewing protocols. In this chapter, we outline the key components of current science-based interviewing training and protocols, including basic memory processes, communication fundamentals, and questioning practices, as relevant to witnesses/victims. While we acknowledge significant progress in the investigative interviewing field, we also lament about knowledge gaps and propose potential pathways forward to improve the effectiveness of witness interviewing worldwide. Ultimately, we hope such discussions help ensure all victims, regardless of where they reside, receive the justice they deserve.

Pages: 13

The criminal investigation of sexual assault is complex and has psychological implications for the victims, as well as several obstacles such as the absence of physical evidence, and the degree of intimidation or coercion exercised by the offenders, causing delays in reporting. This chapter concerns the investigation of sexual assault from the perspective of victims' access to justice and how it affects the criminal investigation process. This chapter focuses on how access to justice has implications for forensic interviews as a primary source of information for criminal investigations in sexual crimes in Colombia. This analysis allows us to identify that access to justice for victims affects the investigation of sexual assault.

Pages: 9

In Mozambique, police interviewing takes place in a complex environment of entrenched poverty, a pluralistic legal system, and the colonial legacy of language inequality whereby access to justice can depend on a person's proficiency in the official language of Portuguese. These factors are especially relevant for women experiencing domestic violence and seeking a cessation of harm and/or the legal restitution of property and civil rights. In this chapter, we present the findings from interviews with legal and humanitarian sector stakeholders in Maputo, Mozambique's capital, about the process of gathering evidence in domestic violence cases and, in particular, the role of questioning and police interactions with victim-survivors. We document the barriers to justice related to investigative interviewing and identify opportunities for improvement through interviewing training and coordination of investigative functions between the various actors operating within the customary law and civil law traditions in domestic violence cases.

Pages: 14

Extant literature has laid considerable emphasis on the information that police investigators gather from suspects, victims, and witnesses to the successful resolution of crime investigations (Akca et al., 2021; Snook et al., 2010). This is premised on the significance of information obtainable from interviewees who might even be the only source of information regarding the event in question. Even in cases where physical evidence does exist, interviewing those directly involved helps in offering context and explaining how the available evidence fits into the overall event (Westera et al., 2016). As a result, there has been a sustained interest in the scholarly literature about how police interviews are conducted (Aborisade & Adedayo, 2020; Bull & Milne, 2004; Bull & Rachlew, 2020; Chung, Ng et al., 2022). This makes considerable attention be drawn towards investigators, as vital skills are required to generate the maximal amount of accurate information from interviewees (Akca et al., 2021; Magnusson et al., 2022). While appreciable research has focused on investigative interviewing of crime suspects and witnesses, there are still considerable grounds to cover in investigators’ interviewing of crime victims (Chung, Ding et al., 2022). Specifically, interviewing victims of domestic violence in societies, like Nigeria, where such violence has sociocultural underpinnings should interest scholarly literature.

Pages: 11

The implementation of a revised legal protocol for interviewing rape victims in Poland aims to enhance protection against secondary victimisation. This includes limitations on the number of interviews, their scope, as well as the circle of participants, reducing the risk of intimidation or mistreatment. The new procedure mandates careful planning, introducing psychological support and dedicated protective measures. However, concerns arise as court interviews may be postponed to gather more evidence, causing undesirable delays. The 14-day timeframe may contribute to this, leading to informal police interviews, bypassing formal safeguards. Current laws permit police officers to be interviewed based on information obtained informally. Moreover, restrictions on the number of the interviews may complicate evidence verification. Additionally, the persistence of a resistance-based approach to rape in Polish criminal law, despite the 2015 ratification of the Istanbul Convention, could deter victims and lead to misplaced burdens of proof, fostering secondary victimisation. Addressing these challenges requires the modification of existing investigative methodologies.

Pages: 16

Children can be remarkably accurate informants about their experiences, but they can also spin fantastical yarns about fictional or real characters in their lives; child development and memory experts have learned that these paradoxical qualities emerge, in large part, depending on how children are questioned and interviewed (Cyr, 2022; Lamb & Brown, 2015; Lamb et al., 2018; Poole et al., 2016; Stolzenberg et al., 2022). This awareness arose alongside more than three decades of research dedicated to the topic of child forensic interviewing. The result is broad international consensus on how interviewers should elicit children's reports. This chapter provides an overview of the current worldwide knowledge base. We start with an overview of child forensic interview practice and then review each interview phase chronologically. Although many of the best practice principles described in this chapter apply to all information-gathering interviews with children (see Powell & Brubacher, 2020; Stolzenberg et al., 2022 for discussion), our focus in this book is on interviews conducted for legal purposes.

Pages: 88

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 8

This chapter highlights the developments in the employment of psychologists in the State Police and, above all, in strengthening their role in Albania. Over the years, psychologists within the State Police have introduced a new set of skills to effectively intervene in challenging situations. Today, police psychology has experienced significant advancements globally, both in the research context and in the professional and practical one. After many institutional efforts, the new job descriptions of the police psychologist entered into force on 3 August 2023, by Order No. 1112 of the State Police. Currently, their functional duties focus on providing psychological support to police officers, for example, providing psychological assistance and case-by-case treatment of employees, performing periodic screening of the psychological needs of the organisation, identifying cases when the police officer has a more pronounced psychological load, referring cases according to a well-defined referral system, being part of the working group for evaluation of performance or tasks, and recommending changes in parallel positions, promotions or dismissals, etc. We emphasise that the focus of interventions will be on achieving international standards while also increasing the quality of service with the aim of improving the psycho-emotional well-being of police staff.

Pages: 11

In the year 2000, Chile began a profound change in the criminal justice system, which involved the transition from an inquisitorial court model to an accusatory one. With this, the participation of victims, witnesses, as well as experts also underwent a relevant modification. The logic of judicial interviews and police interrogations was replaced by more scientific and modern strategies for accessing the information provided by these actors, allowing for an improvement in the quality and quantity of information, its validity, and with a subsequent decrease in secondary victimisation for respondents. These advances and other legal modifications regarding interviews were crowned and institutionally incorporated in 2019 through a Law on Video-Recorded Interviews, which established a unique way of interviewing victims through a model that is accredited by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, thereby contributing to the generation of judicially valid information and a considerable decrease in secondary victimisation among victims.

Pages: 14

This paper analyses the procedural aspects relating to the protection of children as witnesses in Croatian criminal proceedings. The focus is on the ways of examining children, depending on the age and procedural position in which the children find themselves during the pre-trial and main hearing in criminal proceedings. We also discuss the conflict between the defendant's right to confrontation in criminal proceedings and the children's right not to be confronted with the defendant both from the perspectives of European and international contexts. Finally, an attempt is made to provide an answer to some questions regarding the interview procedures and legal consequences that arose from child witness demeanour in the daily practice of the criminal courts in the Republic of Croatia. Taking into account the above, the importance and role of various experts such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and social pedagogues in respect of the legality of the examination and assessing the credibility of children's testimony is considered.

Pages: 12

In this chapter, we present the current practice and protocols used in investigative interviewing of child victims and witnesses in Finland as well as the training model for professionals when they conduct these interviews. We also describe the legislation related to interrogations in criminal investigations in general and the relevant legislation related to interviewing children. After considering the limited training available for law enforcement on interviewing methods of groups other than children, we summarise the current challenges in the field and discuss the implications for law, policy, and practice in Finland. We conclude by recognising the future research needed in Finland to further develop investigative interviewing practice.

Pages: 12

Research has identified the complexity of interviewing children, and as such, current practices in different places in the world, including Greece, have been adapted and informed. The process of interviewing child witnesses is of dual aim, as it acts to ensure the best interests of the child, but also to obtain accurate and valuable information for the purpose of the investigation. This chapter will focus on the institutional framework for child witnesses in Greece, as adopted after the introduction of Child Advocacy Centre in 2017. The authorities' procrastination on its full implementation, and the challenges arising from the implementation of those practices, will be discussed. The chapter will also include a thorough analysis of the first interviewing protocol used in Greece, which has been developed based on research and best practices in the field (as identified in a global context). Even though the new institutional framework has resulted in the development of new policies relating to child witnesses in Greece (child-friendly justice), children's mental health and well-being is not always ensured, and it seems that the risk of secondary victimisation has not been eliminated, as the framework is usually not fully implemented.

Pages: 9

After ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by Lithuania in 1995, considerable progress were made to ensure the best interests of the child in the various legal processes. The main achievements were made in the amendment of laws along with the reconstruction of the legal system by implementing child interview rooms and involving psychologists to facilitate the proper execution of procedures associated with a child's participation in the legal system, guaranteeing adequate support and protection for the child. However, the current legal practice of child interviews still has challenges, such as the insufficiency of the victim support system, lack of unified training for officers, and difficulties in investigating high-profile cases, particularly in cases of child sexual abuse. The implications for law, policy, and practice are discussed.

Pages: 13

Children are exposed to cruel treatment in daily life. One of these cruelties is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse cases differ from other types of abuse because they usually occur in a place where no one is around. Although the exact number of children exposed to sexual abuse in Türkiye is not clear, research shows that the number of children who are victims of sexual abuse is increasing (or at least the number reporting such crimes is increasing). In Türkiye, the Constitution gives the state the duty to protect children and families. The state is expected to take precautions to protect children and families and to open and manage appropriate institutions for this purpose. It is seen that there have been significant developments in judicial interviews with child victims of sexual abuse, especially after 2010. The Child Monitoring Centre that opened in university hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health in 2012 and the forensic interview rooms that opened in courthouses affiliated with the Ministry of Justice as of 2017 are very important. This chapter provides an overview of these developments

Pages: 7

In this concluding chapter, we reflect on the contributions to the authors of the chapters in the Handbook. As these chapters have largely, if not entirely, covered countries that have been seldom covered in the literature, such discourse in the chapter provides illumination to wider international audiences for the first time. While, undoubtedly, this is a good thing, more soberly such material and coverage more often than not provides a key message that there is much more to be done in many countries if the Méndez Principles are to avoid becoming a missed opportunity. This book can provide an additional opportunity to assist the endeavours of those seeking change to more ethical forms of investigative interviews and interrogations. It also highlights a number of areas of prospective research that are required to develop further understanding of the challenges and possible solutions when encountering implementation of the principles without distorting them.