About the workshop
In the workshop, Sigrid Buseth emphasized that to evaluate an investigative interview effectively you need to understand the principles underpinning it, and its place within the investigation.
Evaluation involves examining whether the goals of the interview were achieved, reviewing the investigation with the new information obtained, assessing any potential risks to victims and witnesses, and reflecting on the interviewer's performance to identify areas for improvement. These steps are essential in improving the overall effectiveness and advancement of the investigative process.
Sigrid also highlighted the importance of video recording interviews. Not only do recordings improve the reliability of investigations by preserving the oral evidence in its original form, but they are also essential for evaluation and training. She stressed the need to create a supportive work environment within the investigative unit that encourages learning and growth, recognizing that many may feel uncomfortable or threatened by seeing themselves on video, hearing their own voice, and having their performance reviewed.
Thank you for your presentation and advice! This is very important and useful for us. The culture of evaluating each other and creating safe environments is just being developed in our field of criminal justice, one of the participants said.
Sigrid Buseth has been an investigator since 1996, specializing in child sexual abuse cases. She is an expert in conducting investigative interviews with children and vulnerable individuals and has played a key role in developing sequential interview techniques for children as young as three years old. In addition, she is an instructor in investigative interviewing and has extensive experience in training Norwegian police on evaluation and feedback.
Recently retired, Sigrid now focuses on lecturing and training investigators and prosecutors in countries such as Romania, Estonia, Ukraine, and others, in collaboration with the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights. We are excited to continue collaborating with her and are grateful for the expertise she brings to the Centre's projects!