Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base
Military Defense Investigation Authority Publication
Authority Publication No. DI-125
Evaluating Child Forensic Interviews for Suggestion, Repetition, and Source Contamination
Independent Military Defense Investigations
Supporting Attorneys, Service Members, and Families
Publication Date: August 24, 2026
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Executive Summary
DI-125 explains how defense investigators evaluate child forensic interviews by preserving first disclosures and complete recordings, documenting prior questioning, and tracing suggestion, repetition, source confusion, and corroboration through a disclosure chronology.
Child forensic interviews in military investigations should be evaluated by tracing the child's account from first disclosure through later conversations, repeated questioning, and the formal interview.
A child's account can pass through several conversations before and after a formal forensic interview. Family members, command personnel, medical providers, investigators, and others may each ask questions or discuss the allegation, making chronology and source attribution especially important.
DI-125 explains how defense investigators can preserve complete recordings and interview protocols, identify first-disclosure witnesses and exact words, document prior questioning, and build a disclosure chronology showing when important details first appeared.
The publication also addresses repetition, reinforcement, source confusion, age-appropriate language, and independent corroboration. A detail that appears only after outside exposure does not automatically establish contamination, but it creates a specific documented issue for counsel and qualified experts to evaluate.
The objective is not to reject a child's account automatically. It is to preserve the original evidence, keep conflicting sources visible, distinguish verified facts from inferences, and provide counsel with an accurate record of what the available evidence does and does not establish.
Who Should Read This Publication?
Military Defense Counsel
Use the disclosure chronology and original interview record to identify factual issues requiring additional discovery, expert consultation, evidentiary analysis, or further investigation.
Defense Investigators
Preserve complete recordings and protocols, identify first-disclosure witnesses, document prior questions and outside exposure, trace when details first appeared, and test the account against independent evidence.
Service Members
Understand why the defense may need to examine the complete history of a child's disclosures and interviews rather than relying solely on a later summary or formal interview.
Qualified Experts
Review complete underlying materials and clearly defined questions concerning interview methodology, development, language, repetition, source confusion, or other specialized issues at counsel's direction.
Families
Understand why preserving records and avoiding additional questioning or discussion with potential witnesses can be important; allow defense counsel and investigators to direct witness contacts and evidence collection.
Companion Video
This companion video expands on the investigative concepts presented in this Authority Publication through additional explanation, practical examples, and professional investigative insight.
About Michael West
The investigative guidance presented throughout these Authority Publications is based upon decades of professional experience conducting military, federal, criminal, civil, and private investigations. The principles discussed in these publications are drawn from real investigative work involving complex cases, witness development, evidence analysis, and factual case preparation.
Michael West has served as a Special Agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and the Department of Defense Inspector General, conducted federal background investigations, and spent decades working as a licensed private investigator supporting attorneys, businesses, service members, and private clients. Throughout his career, his work has focused on identifying facts, locating witnesses, analyzing evidence, and strengthening the factual foundation of legal cases through independent investigation.
The Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base was created to share that investigative experience in a practical, understandable format. Its purpose is to help attorneys, service members, and families better understand the investigative process, ask more informed questions, and recognize opportunities where independent investigation may strengthen the defense.
Important Information
This Authority Publication is provided for educational and informational purposes and is intended to help readers better understand military defense investigations and the investigative process. It is based upon professional investigative experience and is designed to provide practical investigative insight rather than legal advice.
Every military case is unique. The investigative strategies, factual issues, and legal considerations applicable to one case may not apply to another. Readers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding legal rights, legal strategy, and decisions involving their individual circumstances.
Nothing contained in this publication should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship or an investigator-client relationship. References to investigative techniques, procedures, or case examples are provided solely to illustrate investigative principles and should not be considered legal guidance.
Effective military defense is strengthened by informed legal representation supported by thorough factual investigation. The purpose of these Authority Publications is to help readers better understand that investigative process so they can communicate more effectively with qualified legal counsel and make informed decisions throughout the military justice process.