FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What kind of training does The Forensic Practice offer?
We offer a range of basic and advanced level workshops on interviewing, the StepWise 360 approach to forensic interviewing, assessing risk for sexual offending, and other forensic topics. To help newly trained staff apply their skills in the field, we also offer post-workshop follow-up sessions and mentorship programs.
Our work is grounded in research and our approach is client-centered, culturally competent, strength-based, and trauma-informed. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to work confidently with all types of clients. Follow this link for more information on our workshops.
Do you incorporate adult learning principles into your workshops?
Yes. There are several adult learning principles that are woven into our workshops, including generative learning, transformational learning, and strength-based, behavioural feedback. Follow this link to read our full article on the subject.
Do you offer training online, in person, or other formats?
Our workshops are available in multiple formats, so you can choose the one that’s best for you. We offer in-person workshops, online Zoom workshops, self-paced eCourses, and hybrid courses. Post-workshop follow-up sessions and mentoring are also available in-person or online via Zoom, MS Teams, or WebEx.
Here are the key aspects of each format:
- In-person workshops, led by our experienced trainer(s), are ideal for organizations seeking a closed session tailored exclusively for their team at a venue of their choice.
- Online workshops eliminate the need for travel, allowing participants to join from anywhere. Led by our experienced trainer(s) via Zoom, they can either be open (anyone may register) or closed (tailored exclusively to an organization’s team).
- eCourses are self-paced, downloadable online courses. They are a cost-effective and schedule-friendly alternative to instructor-led training for individuals and organizations. They are ideal for workplaces with high staff turnover, issues with shift coverage, remote offices, and teams with diverse educational backgrounds and experience.
- Hybrid workshops blend eCourses with in-person or online instructor-led training. eCourses establish a common baseline of knowledge, allowing the instructor-led practice-focused sessions to be shorter, more impactful, and cost-effective.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, we do. We have discounts ranging from 5-20% for frontline workers and repeat clients, as well as group discounts. Follow this link for detailed information on courses or contact us directly for pricing.
Why should I choose The Forensic Practice for interviewing training instead of someone else?
We believe that training interviewers is a great responsibility. The interviewing model must be evidence-based and court-tested, and the training program must employ sound learning principles. Otherwise, what is taught in a classroom may not translate to improved skills in the field, or the training may lose its effectiveness over time (known as interviewer drift). Follow this link to read our article and learn more about our differentiations.
Is online training better than in-person training?
There are many benefits to online workshops, self-paced eCourses, and even hybrid workshops. Here are a few of them.
- They are more cost-effective than in-person workshops, since they eliminate or reduce travel expenses (transportation, accommodation, venue rental, meals, overtime, etc.).
- They are easier to arrange than in-person workshops, so training doesn’t have to be delayed. This is especially true for eCourses.
- You can log in from anywhere, making them convenient and easy to fit into busy schedules.
- The increased accessibility for participants and trainers from any location allows for more diverse perspectives that enrich the learning experience.
That said, in-person workshops offer many unique benefits. If you’re unsure which training format is right for you, check out this article or contact us directly – we’re here to help.
Regardless of format, we use evidence-based techniques in all our training to improve long-term memory retention and enhance the ability to apply skills in a range of settings.
Which is better: online training, in-person training, or eCourses?
Follow this link to read our article on the benefits and disadvantages of each format.
Tell me more about the most basic interviewing eCourse you offer.
Foundations of Effective Interviewing (FEI) is an eCourse that you (or your team) can complete anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace. It takes about 8-10 hours to finish and serves as either a stand-alone course for new workers, or a prerequisite for more comprehensive instructor-led training. It covers the fundamentals of interviewing, including:
- How to strategically choose, cover, and order topics
- Types of questions to use or avoid
- Verbal and non-verbal communication to build rapport and elicit information
- Strategies to mitigate bias
Follow this link to learn more about FEI, or click here to register. Join our mailing list to stay updated on newly launched workshops and eCourses.
What is StepWise 360?
StepWise 360 is the latest iteration of the court-proven StepWise approach to interviewing. It is empirically based, incorporating research and applied knowledge from areas such as interviewing witnesses, victims, and suspects in criminal and child protection cases; evaluating truthfulness; assessing and managing risk for violence; trauma-informed practice; and adult learning. Follow this link to read more about StepWise 360.
Is StepWise 360 evidence-based?
Yes, StepWise 360 is an evidence-based approach to interviewing. It is a technique that integrates “the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences” (American Psychological Association [APA], 2006, p. 273). Follow this link for a review of the StepWise 360 and its empirical foundation.
Has StepWise ever been challenged in court?
Since its development over 30 years ago, StepWise has successfully withstood all legal challenges in any court. In other words, it is seen as a valid, legal, and constitutional interviewing approach.
I heard StepWise 360 is a semi-structured interview approach. What’s the difference between unstructured, semi-structured, and structured interviews?
Unstructured interviews are the most flexible. Instead of asking a fixed set of questions, you use a more spontaneous, conversational style to explore general themes or topics. This approach is useful when your role as an interviewer should remain discreet (e.g., undercover operations), or when you have to assess someone’s personality or communication style. A more rigid approach may limit insights.
In contrast, structured interviews are the least flexible. Every question is pre-planned, placed in a specific order, and asked the same way. While this consistency makes it easier to compare responses across interviews, you can’t explore topics or information that arise spontaneously.
Semi-structured interviews combine the rigors of structured interviews with the flexibility of unstructured ones, often resulting in a more natural and responsive process. The objectives and topics of the interview are predetermined to ensure key areas are covered, but you can adjust the wording or order of questions if necessary and explore new information as it arises.
StepWise 360 is a semi-structured interview approach and, therefore, adaptable to different types of situations. It can be used by police officers, child protection workers, social workers, mental health specialists, lawyers, and other professionals to gather reliable information from victims, witnesses, suspects, and clients of all ages.
How will The Forensic Practice’s staggered training framework help me acquire forensic interviewing skills?
A staggered training framework, built on a unified interview model like StepWise 360, helps you develop core interviewing skills in a structured way.
You begin by learning the foundations of interviewing adult victims and witnesses. Next, you move on to more specialized skills for interviewing children, adolescents, and individuals with special needs—if these are your client groups. Then, you progress to advanced techniques for complex cases, such as interviewing hostile or reluctant witnesses and handling historical or multi-event scenarios.
This approach reinforces your interviewing skills over time, preventing drift and ensuring adherence to best practices. Ongoing support through programs like StepWise Interview Mentoring (SWIM) and refresher courses further strengthens and deepens your skills.
Why is it important to take advanced interviewing training?
As a frontline worker, a basic interviewing course will help you become a competent interviewer. However, if you need to navigate a range of situations at work, if you want to feel confident regardless of who you interview or how complex the case is, and if you want to be recognized as a valuable asset to your team, advanced interview training is essential.
As a supervisor, it’s crucial to ensure your team receives the training they need. It shows them that they are valued and supported. Additionally, it benefits both the individual and the organization when each interviewer has the skills to handle any type of situation. A well-trained team protects against job dissatisfaction and recruitment or retention challenges.
Why are refresher courses and programs like mentorship vital for interviewers?
The research is clear. What people learn in the classroom doesn’t always translate to improved skills in the field. Even when training is effective, its impact tends to diminish over time. This is commonly known as interviewer drift.
Refresher courses and regular sessions with a mentor can help protect against interviewer drift. In addition to helping you maintain your skills, they can foster the development of new skills, facilitate peer reviews, boost your confidence, and enhance job satisfaction.
What is interviewer drift and what can I do to prevent it?
Interviewer drift refers to the tendency to move away (or drift) from best practices when we stop actively practicing and updating our interviewing skills. To prevent this, review your training material regularly, use checklists, seek peer reviews and mentorship from experts, participate in refresher courses, and get advanced training.
What mentoring opportunities do you offer?
We offer in-person and online StepWise Interview Mentoring (SWIM) sessions after face-to-face workshops. These are brief sessions, tailored to the needs of each person or team, that help to solidify newly acquired knowledge and skills, and address any barriers to implementing best practices in the field.
Follow this link for more information about our mentoring programs.
How much does it cost to register for a seat in a workshop? I’m looking for myself.
Prices vary depending on the specific workshop, length, and format. Follow this link for detailed information on courses or contact us directly for pricing.
My organization would like to host a workshop. Is that possible?
Yes. We’ll work with you to set up in-person, online, or hybrid workshops specifically for your team.
Alternatively, you can register individuals or a small group for our online open workshops, offered throughout the year, or choose self-paced eCourses to start training right away. For more information, contact us today.
I want training exclusively for my team. What options do I have in terms of format and group size?
Our most popular options are in-person, online, or hybrid workshops, accommodating 24 participants with two trainers (or 12 participants with one trainer). These workshops take time to arrange.
For more immediate training, you can enroll individuals or groups in eCourses.
(Note: Group size is capped to balance cost with trainers’ ability to provide individual feedback and ensure participants have sufficient practice time.)
How would you tailor a workshop for my organization?
Tailoring is a collaborative process with our clients. It may include incorporating case material, policies, and procedures specific to your organization or discipline. We can also develop custom practical exercises to make the training operationally relevant to your group. Contact us for more information about tailoring workshops.
I manage a small team with fewer than 12 people. What’s the best training option for my small team?
For smaller teams, we recommend these two training options:
- Host your own workshop. Choose a Zoom or in-person workshop for your team (maximum 12 participants with one trainer). If you have extra seats, invite partner agencies.
- Register team members individually. Enroll as few or as many people as you need in one of our regularly scheduled open online workshops or eCourses. Group discounts are available.
How can I find out if your training is right for my team?
We invite decision-makers to observe a few days of an open online workshop to see what we teach and how we teach it, so you can determine if our training is a good fit for your team. We’re committed to helping you make informed decisions to maximize your training budget. To schedule an observation session, contact us.
How much does it cost to host a workshop for my team?
The cost depends on the workshop. Several factors affect pricing:
- The workshop’s duration
- Whether it’s conducted online or in-person (requiring travel expenses)
- If it’s instructor-led or self-paced
- Whether it’s exclusive to your team only (closed) or open to others (open)
- Whether the standard workshop must be tailored for your team
To discuss the best options for your organization and an estimate of cost, contact us today.
For Individuals
What workshops does The Forensic Practice offer?
We have numerous engaging, instructor-led, face-to-face workshops for individuals and organizations that provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct client-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based, and culturally safe interviews with different types of interviewees. Follow this link for more information on our workshops.
Do you provide online training?
Yes. Since 2020, The Forensic Practice has developed and delivered online, instructor-led workshops via Zoom. Our online workshops are designed to enhance engagement and learning and reduce Zoom fatigue. In addition, we have developed further online learning activities that can be delivered via Zoom, MS Teams, or WebEx.
What is StepWise 360?
StepWise 360 is the latest iteration of the StepWise approach to interviewing. It remains anchored in the empirically validated and court-proven StepWise structure and philosophy, and it incorporates research and applied knowledge from areas such as interviewing adult witnesses, victims, and suspects in criminal and child protection cases; evaluating truthfulness; assessing and managing risk for violence; trauma-informed practice; and adult learning. Follow this link to read about StepWise 360 in full.
Is StepWise 360 evidence-based?
Yes, StepWise 360 is an empirically based approach to interviewing. It is a technique that integrates “the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences” (American Psychological Association [APA], 2006, p. 273). Follow this link for a review of the StepWise 360 and its empirical foundation.
How does StepWise 360 streamline interview training and learning?
Most professionals require the knowledge and skills to interview children and adults, as well as how to tailor these interviews when working with people with complex needs, trauma survivors, and reluctant interviewees. When you receive basic and advanced training from the same organization, you can focus on learning new skills, rather than how to translate the new material into the language you are accustomed to. This makes for a less frustrating experience and greater learning gains.
Has StepWise ever been challenged in court?
In the 30+ years since its development, there has never been a successful challenge of the StepWise in any court in any country.
Why is it important to take advanced interviewing training? I am a frontline interviewer.
As a frontline interviewer, a basic interviewing course will teach you to become a competent interviewer. However, if you need to navigate a variety of situations at work, if you want to feel confident no matter who you are interviewing, and if you want to be known as a genuine asset to your team, advanced interview training is essential. It will show you how to handle complex cases and how to interview people with various complex needs.
Why is it important to take advanced interviewing training? I am a supervisor.
As a supervisor, it’s important to ensure that your team gets the training they need. It shows them that they are valued and supported. Plus, it benefits both the individual and the organization if each interviewer has the skills to conduct any type of interview. Having such a team protects against job dissatisfaction and recruitment and retention problems.
Why is mentorship important for interviewers?
Research is clear. What people learn in a classroom does not easily translate to improved skills in the field. Even when training is effective, it is prone to lose its effectiveness over time. This is commonly known as interviewer drift. Mentorship protects against interviewer drift. Besides helping interviewers maintain their skills, regular sessions with a mentor contributes to confidence-building, developing new skills, peer support, and job satisfaction.
What is interview drift and what can I do to negate it?
Interview drift refers to the fact that we all tend to move away (or drift) from best practices if we stop focusing on reviewing and updating our interviewing skills. To protect yourself from interview drift, refer back to your training material, use your checklists, seek peer reviews and expert mentorship, participate in refresher courses, and seek advanced training.
For Organizations
What workshops does The Forensic Practice offer?
We have numerous engaging, instructor-led, face-to-face workshops for individuals and organizations that provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct client-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based, and culturally safe interviews with different types of interviewees. Follow this link for more information on our workshops.
Do you provide online training?
Yes. Since 2020, The Forensic Practice has developed and delivered online, instructor-led workshops via Zoom. Our online workshops are designed to enhance engagement and learning and reduce Zoom fatigue. In addition, we have developed further online learning activities that can be delivered via Zoom, MS Teams, or WebEx.
What is StepWise 360?
StepWise 360 is the latest iteration of the StepWise approach to interviewing. It remains anchored in the empirically validated and court-proven StepWise structure and philosophy, and it incorporates research and applied knowledge from areas such as interviewing adult witnesses, victims, and suspects in criminal and child protection cases; evaluating truthfulness; assessing and managing risk for violence; trauma-informed practice; and adult learning. Follow this link to read about StepWise 360 in full.
Is StepWise 360 evidence-based?
Yes, StepWise 360 is an empirically based approach to interviewing. It is a technique that integrates “the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences” (American Psychological Association [APA], 2006, p. 273). Follow this link for a review of the StepWise 360 and its empirical foundation.
How does StepWise 360 streamline interview training and learning?
Most professionals require the knowledge and skills to interview children and adults, as well as how to tailor these interviews when working with people with complex needs, trauma survivors, and reluctant interviewees. When you receive basic and advanced training from the same organization, you can focus on learning new skills, rather than how to translate the new material into the language you are accustomed to. This makes for a less frustrating experience and greater learning gains.
Has StepWise ever been challenged in court?
In the 30+ years since its development, there has never been a successful challenge of the StepWise in any court in any country.
Why is it important to take advanced interviewing training? I am a frontline interviewer.
As a frontline interviewer, a basic interviewing course will teach you to become a competent interviewer. However, if you need to navigate a variety of situations at work, if you want to feel confident no matter who you are interviewing, and if you want to be known as a genuine asset to your team, advanced interview training is essential. It will show you how to handle complex cases and how to interview people with various complex needs.
Why is it important to take advanced interviewing training? I am a supervisor.
As a supervisor, it’s important to ensure that your team gets the training they need. It shows them that they are valued and supported. Plus, it benefits both the individual and the organization if each interviewer has the skills to conduct any type of interview. Having such a team protects against job dissatisfaction and recruitment and retention problems.
Why is mentorship important for interviewers?
Research is clear. What people learn in a classroom does not easily translate to improved skills in the field. Even when training is effective, it is prone to lose its effectiveness over time. This is commonly known as interviewer drift. Mentorship protects against interviewer drift. Besides helping interviewers maintain their skills, regular sessions with a mentor contributes to confidence-building, developing new skills, peer support, and job satisfaction.
What is interview drift and what can I do to negate it?
Interview drift refers to the fact that we all tend to move away (or drift) from best practices if we stop focusing on reviewing and updating our interviewing skills. To protect yourself from interview drift, refer back to your training material, use your checklists, seek peer reviews and expert mentorship, participate in refresher courses, and seek advanced training.
Questions? We're Here to Help.
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