Trainer: Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik, Ph.D.

This session will address the process of investigating alleged victimization of adults with disabilities. Case examples involving people with psychiatric and physical disabilities will illustrate interviewing strategies and tips. Dilemmas and difficulties that often surface during APS investigations involving younger vulnerable adults will be discussed as well as potential resolution methods. Illustrative cases will also address responding to domestic and intimate partner violence against younger disabled adults.

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APS INVESTIGATION & FORENSIC INTERVIEWING

The Process of APS Investigations Goals

Forensic nature & logic

Critical: compliance with laws & regulations, supervision & consultation

Investigation steps & planning

Reporter's info

Planning sources and sequence of information

Alleged victim interviewing

Building rapport

Explaining APS involvement

Assessing functioning & safety

Forensic interviewing

Eliciting & using collateral info

Interviewing alleged perpetrators

Diagnostic evaluations

Analyzing findings, drawing conclusions based upon case facts

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When Alleged Victim Is Physically Disabled Key forensic issues to consider

Will the disability affect your access to the alleged victim?

Does the disability affect communication?

Are communication or other accommodations needed?

Impact of disability on vulnerability, safety, revealed info

Interpreting interview findings

Selected illustrative case

When Alleged Victim Is Psychiatrically Disabled

Key forensic issues to consider

Possible impact of illness on forensic interview

Impact of illness on vulnerability, credibility, safety, revealed info

Current condition of person - medication needs, reality-testing

Possible accommodations to special needs

Interpreting interview findings

Selected illustrative case

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Disability Issues in DV & IPV Cases Common clinical dynamics

Safety considerations

Implications of and possible contra-indications to AP interviewing

Impact on victim of threats, manipulations, dependency

Intervention implications

Selected Bibliography

• Ramsey-Klawsnik, H. (2004). Investigating alleged victimization. Victimization of the Elderly &Disabled, 7(2), 17, 31 –32.

• Ramsey-Klawsnik, H. (2004). Interviewing suspected victims. Victimization of the Elderly &Disabled, 7(3), 35 – 36, 48.

• Ramsey-Klawsnik, H. & Klawsnik, L. (2004). Interviewing victims with barriers to communication. Victimization of the Elderly and Disabled, 7(4), 49 – 50, 63 – 64.

• Ramsey-Klawsnik, H. (2005). Interviewing alleged perpetrators. Victimization of the Elderly &Disabled, 7(5), 65, 77 - 79.

• Ramsey-Klawsnik, H. (2005). Determining whether abuse has occurred. Victimization of the Elderly & Disabled, 7(6), 81 – 82, 95.

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