Forgotten Victims: The Forensic Interview

What’s the difference between a forensic interview and a forensic evaluation—and why does it matter? In this episode of Forgotten Victims , Geoff Sidoli breaks down the distinct purposes of forensic interviews and forensic evaluations, explaining when each is appropriate and how they work together within investigations involving children. Geoff discusses the goals, methodologies, and outcomes of b...

In this episode, Scott and Staci are joined by Sergeant Timothy F. X. Grant about the importance of working on a multi disciplinary team and collaborating with adult protective services. From his perspective in the field, Sergeant Grant discusses how multidisciplinary teamwork strengthens investigations, improves outcomes for vulnerable adults, and bridges the gap between protection and prosecutio...

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW, is joined by Teresa Teeple, the Tennessee State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Teresa brings her deep expertise and experience to address common misunderstandings about what an Ombudsman does. From advocating for residents’ rights to navigating complex long-term care systems, Teresa sheds light on this vital role. This episode highlights the importance of advocacy...

What is Facilitated Communication? In this episode, Scott and Staci unpack how this method—often described as assisted typing for individuals with disabilities—has sparked debate in clinical and legal settings. CEO, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Senior Director, Staci Whitney, LMSW, explore how this method is intended to support communication, but the lack of reliable data prove its ineffectiveness. Th...

In this episode, Scott and Staci dive into the misconceptions surrounding autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—particularly as they relate to emotional expression and perception during forensic interviews and investigations. CEO, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Senior Director, Staci Whitney, LMSW explore how traditional assumptions can lead investigators to misread emotional cues or dismiss credible disclosur...

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW is joined by disability advocate, Megan Young. Megan shares her lived experiences as a woman with a disability and the incredible advocacy work she is doing at Project Everlast in Nebraska. Project Everlast is a statewide, youth-led initiative committed to providing resources, connections and support to young adults without family support. Their goal is to empo...

In this episode, Staci and MCG Senior Consultant, Dermot Whelan, Police Sgt., Retired, are joined by the newest MCG team member, Senior Consultant and Legal Advisor, Rachel Dunn, J.D. Drawing from her own experiences and expertise, Rachel describes things she has seen in investigations that have been useful for her as a prosecutor when building a strong case. Rachel Dunn is a Senior Consultant and...

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW, are joined by retired Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, Candace J. Heisler, J.D. More recently Candace's work has been a consultant and trainer regarding elder abuse, domestic violence, and abuse in later life. She also worked with MCG to develop our suite of SAFE trainings for interviewing older adu...

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW and MCG Senior Consultant Kate Homan, MS are joined by the Chair of the Forensic Psychology Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Dr. Diana Orem, Ph. D., MS. Drawing from her own experiences, Diana explains her shift to working with individuals with disabilities and vulnerable populations. She developed a training protocol for Law Enforcement and...

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss diagnosing a disability. Drawing from their own experiences, Scott and Staci provide a better understanding of the criteria that is required for someone to be diagnosed with a disability and some of the different ways an individual gets diagnosed with a disability.

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW and MCG Senior Consultant, Kate Homan MS are joined by Program Director for the Children's Advocacy Centers of Michigan, Joshua Bissell. Josh shares his experience working on a project that works to improve the forensic interview system for marginalized and vulnerable communities. Over the last two years, his team created a training that explains why forensic i...

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW are joined by Executive Director of the Adult Advocacy Centers, Katherine Yoder, MS, CFI. Katherine shares her experience as an individual with Autism and also discusses emerging trends she's recognized in the disability field. Katherine Yoder is a certified forensic interviewer and a person with disabilities herself. For more than 20 y...

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss abuse dynamics and the barriers to disclosure. Drawing from their own experiences, Scott and Staci provide tips for forensic interviewers and multi-disciplinary teams to better understanding abuse dynamics and recognizing a pattern of behavior before conducting a forensic interview.

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss making the difficult decision to end an interview in the best interest of the interviewee. Drawing from their own experiences, Scott and Staci explain in detail traditional and complex blocks and barriers that prevent an interview from continuing.

In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss how assumptions can impact professionals when conducting investigations. Drawing from their own experience, Scott and Staci explain in detail about assumptions they've heard and what individuals should be aware of.

In this episode, Staci and Senior Consultant, Kate Homan MS are joined by Linda Cordisco-Steele M.Ed., LPC to discuss her experience as the Director of Forensic Interview Training and Services at the National Children's Advocacy Center. As an experienced forensic interviewer, Linda discusses what keeps her motivated to continue this great work and how continued learning is essential for interviewe...

In this episode, Staci and Senior Consultant, Kate Homan MS are joined by Julie Kenniston, MSW to discuss her experience as a forensic interviewer and trainer. Julie talks about what she observes during trainings that would be helpful for interviewers and investigators as we think about the multi-disciplinary approach. Julie Kenniston, MSW, LISW is a Program Manager for the National Criminal Justi...

In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss specific interview guidelines that are useful when interviewing individuals with disabilities.

In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss Intellectual Disability and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.

In this episode Scott and Staci, talk about Cerebral Palsy. They dive deep into what Cerebral Palsy is and focus on conducting forensic interviews with individuals with Cerebral Palsy.

In this episode, MCG Founder, Scott Modell, Ph. D. and Senior Consultant, Dermot Whelan Police Sgt., Retired. interview Patricia Gunning, J.D about her experience prosecuting crimes against individuals with disabilities. Before entering private practice, Ms. Gunning served as the Special Prosecutor and Inspector General for the New York State Justice Center. A 2002 graduate of St. John’s Law Schoo...

In this episode, Staci and MCG Senior Consultant, Dermot Whelan, Police Sgt., Retired, discuss disability awareness training with Niagara University First Responders' Project Director, David Whalen. David Whalen founded Disability Awareness Training (DAT) in September 2004. He specializes in training law enforcement, emergency responders, human service providers, public, private, and school transp...

In this episode, Staci and MCG Senior Consultant, Kate Homan, MS, interview Dr. Sarah Thomas, PsyD, HSPP about her experience as a clinical psychologist working in the fields of behavioral and mental health. Dr. Thomas graduated from Indiana State University and Louisiana State University Medical School. Dr. Thomas currently directs a team of mental health professionals in a pediatric behavioral h...

In this episode, Scott and Staci interview Chris Dubble, MSW about his experience working with older adult victims and adult protective services professionals.

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph. D, and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss communication considerations as well as engagement and rapport with individuals who do not speak.