Children Who Witness Homicide and Other Violent Crimes

Published 2002, 239 pages

This one of a kind book provides information on how to conduct investigative interviews with children who have witnessed a homicide or other violent crime. The second part of the book discusses counseling children who have seen violent crimes. Forensically sound techniques, interview processes, environment, are all discussed. The author, Tascha Boychuk-Spears, has interviewed or counseled over 3000 children and is considered the foremost expert in the field.

“Enormously instructive and without a doubt a must for criminal justice and mental health professionals” Lt. Brad Simpson, MFT, Las Vegas Metro Police Dept.

“Gripping… the first book of its kind by one of the foremost authorities on children who witness homicide” Caryl Ainley, Ph.D., Psychologist, former clinical director Children’s Advocacy Center of Phoenix

“Dr. Spears has presented an excellent resource for persons functioning in the fields of law enforcement, child protection services, mental health, education and corrections. With devastating clarity, Spears has unveiled the suffering of children touched by violence.” Det. Donald Morris, NYPD

Chapter titles:
Prologue: Entering the World of Children’s Grief
Chapter 1. Foundations of Investigative Interviews
Chapter 2. When the Basic Principles Don’t Work
Chapter 3. Interviews With Preschool Children: Two Dynamic Cases
Chapter 4. Investigating Child Deaths in Foster Care
Chapter 5. Child Witnesses in Cold Case Homicides
Chapter 6. Managing Active Children During Interviews
Chapter 7. Children’s Accuracy in Describing Homicide of a Family Members: Preliminary Research Findings
Chapter 8. Children Who Witness Domestic Violence
Chapter 9. Child Abductions: Victims and Witnesses
Chapter 10: Charley and Sammy: The Quiet Children
Chapter 11: Grief and Trauma: Counseling Children Who Witness Severe Violence
Chapter 12. Compassion Fatigue
Epilogue, References, Recommended Books