Mid Sweden University

The present study investigated how 96 children who have witnessed homicidal violence remember and report their experiences. The aims of the study were to describe the children’s reporting pattern and to investigate background factors that could affectthe children’s reporting. Police interviews with the children were analysed regarding theamount and type of information reported, as well as frequency of denial, withholding and claims of memory loss. Results showed that the majority of children provided detailed reports about the homicidal violence they had witnessed, including critical details about the abuse. Results also revealed that the child’s relationship to theperpetrator or the victim did not affect the children’s reporting pattern, indicating thatthe children’s willingness to report exceeds strong impact factors such as loyaltyconflicts. These findings are applicable in different legal contexts dealing with child witnesses and can be used as guidance when interviewing children and evaluating theirtestimony.