Forensic Clinical Interviewing: Toward Best Practice

Abstract

This two-part special issue of the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health is dedicated to the practice of forensic clinical interviewing, that is, the nature and application of specialist clinical interviewing skills with clients in forensic settings. The rationale for its preparation is concern about the neglect of this area of practice in the empirical and clinical literatures. While there is a substantial evidence base for the techniques applied by investigative and forensic interviewers (e.g., police officers, social workers), little of this work has been prepared or adapted for the use of clinicians (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses) engaging with individuals managed by forensic mental health services, prisons, and probation. This article sets the scene for the special issue. First, it examines what is meant by the term “interview,” the information gathering opportunity on which so many clinicians rely to inform their clinical judgment. Second, forensic clinical interviewing is examined; what does this term mean, and to what range of activities does it refer? Third, the key points in the article to follow in the special issue are discussed. This article concludes with a rationale for clinicians to exercise more deliberation on their interviews, and a plea for more research.