Issues Associated with Interviewing of Persons with

Neurodevelopmental and Genetic Disorders and Brain Injury.

Barry S Parsonson PhD

Explore & API

IntroductionNeurodevelopmental and Chromosomal

Disorders and Traumatic Brain Injuries affect physiological, cognitive and social functioning in diverse ways, including:

IQ, Planning, Decision-Making, Memory, Attention-Span, Impulsivity, Aggression, Communication, Social Competencies and physiological needs can all be affected to differing degrees;

These physical, executive, cognitive and social deficits present challenges to law enforcement agencies.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Risk Factors

CrimeRisk

Memory Deficits

Social Deficits

Executive Deficits

AttentionDeficits

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Personality

• Suggestible• Impulsive• Poor Planning Ability• Social deficits

• Poor Vocabulary• Short attention span• Memory deficits

• IQ varies from Low to Above Average

• Confabulates to fill gaps

• Looks for cues and clues

• May say what interviewer wants to hear

Easily LedTells Lies

Mis-leadsGlib

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategies

Keep the person’s deficits in mind at all times as they are good at picking up cues and clues, are susceptible to being misled and to misleading the interviewer.

Utilize visual materials such as maps, diagrams or drawings for the interviewee to illustrate and/or convey information as visual memory may be best;

Review facts/repeat interview to establish consistency of information

Triangulate to check all aspects of their story.

Traumatic Brain Injury Risk Factors

Confusion

Physical

CognitiveSocial

Emotional

Traumatic Brain Injury Personality

Physical Trauma & Fatigue

Easily Confused

Traumatic Brain Injury Strategies

Quick to fatigue and short attention span and/or physical or mental symptoms (headache, mood disorder) mean short sessions with breaks may be needed;

Memory and Executive Function deficits can lead to confabulation, confusion and disorientation so triangulation and review of information is essential;

Use simple, clear and brief questions and instructions.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk Factors

Anxiety

Cognitive

Communication Social

Ritualistic

Autistic Personality

Rigid Thinking

Needs Routines &

Rituals

Socially Inept Lacks Empathy

AvoidsNovelty

Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategies

Take time to get to know the person and gradually introduce them to new environments to reduce anxiety;

Find out how they best communicate (signing, visual prompts, verbally);

If interviewing, use short (2-4 word), simple questions and instructions. Avoid metaphors, similes colloquialisms;

Use visuals (maps, diagrams, drawing) to get information or set out routines.

Genetic Disorders

Easily

Led

CognitiveDeficits

Low IQ Social Naivety

Communic-ation

Deficits

Personality CharacteristicsThese are very variable because of the

very different consequences of different genetic conditions.

Persons with Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome and Angelmans Syndrome are typically calm, happy and law-abiding, may want to please;

Persons with Prader-Willi and some genetic microdeletion syndromes may steal food because of insatiable appetite.

Concluding CommentsPersons with Intellectual, Memory, Cognitive and

Communication Deficits are highly suggestible and easily confused. Avoid confrontational, fast-paced or stressful procedures and unfamiliar settings;

They may struggle to maintain concentration and focus and exhibit anxiety or mood swings so include breaks;

Use of clear language, open, simple and short questions is likely to enhance quality of report;

Visual imagery may assist communication and memory;

Triangulate and check reliability of information.

Thank you

drp@appliedpsych.co.nz