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WHERE RESEARCH MEETS PRACTICE

Transforming Knowledge
into Actionable Expertise

Evidence-based, trauma-informed training to support professionals in enhancing investigative and decision-making skills. Our workshops offer practical tools and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in complex cases.

ALL WORKSHOPS

StepWise 360™

The StepWise 360™ framework offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to forensic interviewing. It empowers professionals to conduct interviews that are not only effective but also sensitive to the needs of the interviewee.

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StepWise 360™ builds on the trusted foundations of the original StepWise™ methodology, recognized both nationally and internationally since the 1990s as an effective and proven forensic interviewing model.

Trauma-Informed Techniques

Emphasizing person-centered, compassionate interviewing to reduce re-traumatization and gather reliable information.

Tailored to Today's Needs

Adapted for modern challenges with flexible tools for conducting defensible, evidence-based interviews across diverse cases.

Choose Your Path

Forensic Interviewing Skills with Customized Learning Paths

Explore the learning path that fits your needs and read full course descriptions.

Basic Skills

This pathway introduces essential forensic interviewing techniques, equipping participants with foundational skills to effectively establish rapport and gather information.
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Advanced Skills

Navigate sensitive cases and enhance your interviewing strategies. Tailored for complex situations, such as interviewing individuals with reluctance, trauma, and complex needs.
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Support and Consultation

We support teams with limited internal resources in enhancing forensic interviewing skills, managing complex cases effectively, and building practitioner confidence.
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Specialized Training

Develop strategies to engage and communicate with emotionally charged clients or learn to assess and manage individuals at risk of sexually offending against children and adolescents.
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Our Team

Meet the Professional Minds Behind Our Training Programs

Hugues Hervé, PhD, RPsych

Practice Director

Dr. Hugues Hervé, co-founder of The Forensic Practice, is an expert forensic psychologist advancing best practices in safety and investigation.

 

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Susan Kim, MSc

Operations Director

Susan Kim, co-founder of The Forensic Practice, brings 19 years in federal correctional services, specializing in risk assessment and staff training.

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Kamna Nand, BA

Practice Manager

Kamna Nand, Practice Manager at The Forensic Practice, brings global experience and a talent for building genuine connections and team cohesion.

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Daniel Derksen, MA, PhD Candidate

Training and Development Specialist

Daniel Derksen is a PhD candidate in Forensic Psychology and currently works full-time at the Forensic Practice as a Training and Development Associate.
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Kevin Sabey

Training Associate

As a trainer, Kevin Sabey brings nearly 20 years of policing experience, specializing in child forensic interviewing and major crimes investigation.
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Shelbie Anderson, BA (Hons), MA

Research Associate / Training Associate

Shelbie Anderson, MA, brings expertise in interview strategies, research, and workshop development, linking psychology and law in practical training.
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Kristin Coyne, PhD, RSW

Trainer Development Manager/Training Associate

Dr. Kristin Coyne, forensic researcher and therapist, manages clinical programs and specializes in trauma and mental health therapy for all ages.
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Carla Dassinger, PsyD, RPsych

Training Associate

Dr. Carla Dassinger, forensic psychologist, specializes in risk and sex offender assessments, trauma treatment, and pre-trial evaluations for legal cases.
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Holly Erb, RCMP Officer

Trainer Associate

Holly Erb, RCMP Officer and Sexual Violence Coordinator, has 16+ years of experience in trauma-informed investigations and mentoring officers.
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Michelle Hykawy, BHEcol, BSW

Training Associate

Michelle Hykawy, Provincial Investigation Specialist, mentors and trains in child abuse investigations, child protection, and forensic interviewing.
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Nadia Kyba, MSW, RSW

Training Associate

Nadia Kyba, expert in conflict management and communication, specializes in training social workers and enhancing performance in high-stakes environments.
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Dawn McLaughlin, BA

Training Associate

Dawn McLaughlin, StepWise™ interviewer and Director of Resident Services, specializes in training, program development, and support for adults with disabilities.
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Vincent Nguyen, BSc, BEd

eLearning Consultant

Vincent Nguyen specializes in eLearning and curriculum development, delivering tailored training for sectors like policing, forensics, and skilled trades.
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Sandra Rijken, PLMC, BA (Hons)

Training Associate

Sandra Rijken, police officer and criminology expert, excels in interviewing, sex crime investigations, and mentoring with a focus on survivor advocacy.
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Anton Schweighofer, PhD, RPsych

Training Associate

Anton Schweighofer, PhD, RPsych, is a forensic psychologist and expert witness, specializing in offender assessment, compulsive behavior, and substance abuse.
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Rayna Stuart, BA (Hons)

Workshop Coordinator

Rayna Stuart, Workshop Coordinator, ensures seamless training logistics and support, bringing organization and warmth to every workshop.
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Carolyn Thom, CFI

Training Associate

Carolyn Thom, expert in child forensic interviewing, has 25+ years in social work and pioneered canine-assisted interviews in Canada.
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Kamna Nand, BA

Practice Manager

Kamna Nand, Practice Manager at The Forensic Practice, brings global experience and a talent for building genuine connections and team cohesion.
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Susan Kim, MSc

Operations Director

Susan Kim, co-founder of The Forensic Practice, brings 19 years in federal correctional services, specializing in risk assessment and staff training.
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Hugues Hervé, PhD, RPsych

Practice Director

Dr. Hugues Hervé, co-founder of The Forensic Practice, is an expert forensic psychologist advancing best practices in safety and investigation.
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OUR TEAM
ALL TEAM MEMBERS

Why Us?

The Forensic Practice Why Us

At The Forensic Practice, we provide trusted, specialized training to ensure professionals can conduct interviews that stand up in court and adapt to real-world challenges. Our exclusive StepWise 360™ training gives you the tools to gather critical evidence while prioritizing ethical standards and reducing harm.

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HOW TO

Build Strong, Defensible Cases

In addition to the Learning Paths, you can also explore our eCourses and Workshops, tailored for individuals and organizations.

For Individuals

Our programs for individuals are designed to build foundational and advanced forensic interviewing skills, empowering you with the tools and confidence to conduct interviews that are ethical, defensible, and trauma-informed.

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For Organizations

Tailored to meet the unique needs of teams, our organizational programs provide comprehensive training and support to enhance collective expertise in forensic interviewing, ensuring effective and reliable interview practices across your organization.

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TESTIMONIALS

What Our Clients Say

Discover how our training has transformed the approach and confidence of professionals like you.

“I thought the presenters were great.  They were very good at engaging all of us.  The presenters gave constructive feedback throughout the course and allowed breaks throughout to help us remain focused.”
CPW

(February 2023, ICY, Inperson)

“Loved all of the different learning methods. Interactive and so knowledgeable”
Police Officer

(December 2023, ICY Inperson)

Interviewing Children and Youth
“Very knowledgeable instructor. He was able to explain things in a way everyone could understand.”
RCMP Officer

(November, 2022)

“The workshop is pretty awesome. The information is very useful. As with all things, I was intimidated about taking it, but it was ok by the time it was completed.”
Child in Care Worker

(September 2022, ICY, Open Online)

Interviewing Children and Youth
“The presenters were amazing, knowledgeable, easy going and gave all of us the platform to learn and interact with each other.”
CPW

(September 2022, ICY, Open Online)

Interviewing Children and Youth
“Amazing facilitators! Peer participation scenarios were fantastic and the actors. Really appreciated and like how timely everything was (breaks, lunches, breakout rooms etc)”
Police Officer

(May 2023, ICY, Open, Online)

Interviewing Children and Youth
“Polished. Obviously experienced in this field.”
RCMP Officer

(October, 2021)

“The course material was very well explained. The slides were engaging and easy to follow. The videos provided great examples of what may work and what may cause challenges throughout the interview.“
Police Officer

(November 2022, TCCN, Inperson)

Tailoring to Complex Cases/Needs
“Very knowledgeable. Linking advanced info back to basics.”
RCMP Officer

(March, 2022)

All Testimonials

OUR BLOG

Insights & Expertise in Forensic Interviewing

Explore knowledge from professionals in the field.
Evidence-Based Training

How StepWise 360TM Meets Current Best Practice Expectations for Forensic Interviewing and Training

For agencies responsible for forensic interviewing, the question is no longer whether best practice guidelines matter, but whether an interviewing model and training program can demonstrably align with evolving evidence, accreditation standards, and workforce realities. This analysis examines how the StepWise 360TM approach and its associated training program align with three domains of widely accepted best practice: 1. Best practice expectations for child forensic interviewing models. 2. Best practice expectations for child forensic interviewer training. 3. Best practice expectations for adult learning and professional development.

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February 23, 2026
Forensic Interview Training

The Importance of Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) Education and Training Across Canada

Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) has become a national priority across policing, child protection, victim services, healthcare, and justice sectors. While the overarching goal of TIP is to reduce harm to trauma survivors and prevent re-traumatization, the responsibilities placed on frontline investigators and interviewers have grown more complex.

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December 11, 2025
[picture of child witness]
Forensic Interview Training

Canadian Legislation on the Admissibility of Child Testimony: Truth, Lies, and Promises

Prior to 2006, children could testify after promising to tell the truth as long as they could answer questions that demonstrated that they understood the meaning of truth and lies and the importance of telling the truth. Research challenged this practice by demonstrating that the ability to explain the difference between truths and lies and to discuss the moral implications of lying were not strongly related to truth telling.

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October 31, 2025
Forensic Interview Training

Reducing Bias with Cognitive Psychology

Psychologists often group decision-making into two systems that work together: System 1 makes fast decisions, while System 2 makes slow decisions.

System 1 uses heuristics — mental shortcuts or general rules for making quick decisions. System 1 automatically and unconsciously makes snap judgements that are efficient. Snap judgements are good enough for most daily living activities, but in forensic settings they can lead to errors that have life-altering effects.

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May 23, 2025
Forensic Interview Training

Five Best-Practice Guidelines for Forensic Interviewers

Forensic interviewing is a critical component in investigations, requiring a nuanced approach to gather accurate information while ensuring the interviewee’s well-being. Adhering to established best-practice guidelines enhances the effectiveness and integrity of these interviews. Below, we explore five foundational guidelines that underpin effective forensic interviewing models. Forensic interviewing should be: memory informed, client centred, strength based, culturally agile, and trauma informed.

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April 21, 2025
Dr. Hugues Hervé receives the Outstanding Front Line Professional Award.
The Forensic Practice Updates

APSAC’s Outstanding Front Line Professional Award

In June 2024, at the 31st American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Colloquium in New Orleans, Practice Director and co-founder of The Forensic Practice, Dr. Hugues Hervé received the Outstanding Front Line Professional Award.

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February 23, 2025
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Strengthen Your Interview Skills Today

Join our workshops to master forensic interviewing techniques and elevate your professional practice.

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Open Workshops

Browse our upcoming workshops. Find the right event to fit your calendar and advance your professional skills.
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For Organizations

Enhance team expertise in forensic interviewing, ensuring effective and reliable practices across your organization.
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For Individuals

Foundational and advanced forensic interviewing skills for ethical, defensible, and trauma-informed interviews.
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