형사절차상 아동증인에 대한 조사방법

Investigating Method on Child Witness in the Criminal Proceedings

&nbsp;&nbsp;Children are sometimes involved in various criminal cases as victims or witnesses and are arranged to make testimonials. As they lack physical evidence to prove or support their testimonials, however, their capacities to make testimonials are often questioned.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;Generally, children lack observation capacity, short memory, and underdeveloped linguistic abilities and their expression is not as accurate or matured as that of adults. Thus, their memory is highly likely to be influenced by their surrounding people.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;When trying to investigate children, what is most important is that the investigator must understand children’s attitudes and psychology and use effective questioning techniques to gather information. In criminal proceedings, investigation of children must follow more adequate procedures to minimize losses and increase reliability of children’s testimonials.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;In order to help children testify what they experienced, the investigator must use adequate investigating procedures to acquire more accurate information that is factual.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;Children’s testimonials from such adequate investigating procedures would be considered reliable and would be used as effective evidence even if they are made by vulnerable children.