What to Know After the Forensic Interview

Who will be following up with me after the interview?

On the day of the interview, the investigator(s) (law enforcement, child protection, or sometimes both) may be checking in with you after your child’s interview is complete to provide information regarding next steps in their investigation and allow you the opportunity to ask questions. If they are unable to meet with you on the day of the interview, they may attempt to contact you within the next week to provide this information.

For questions regarding additional supports or services available to your family, a CornerHouse advocate will reach out to you within 1-2 weeks of your child’s interview to discuss various intra and outer agency services or referrals that may be available. This advocate may also assist you in connecting with your investigator as needed.

Who should I communicate with after the interview?

CornerHouse Advocate: Your advocate is available to provide support to you and your family on the day of the interview and may provide continued support services after your child’s interview takes place. CornerHouse provides various services within the agency, including individual therapy, support groups, case management, and legal systems navigation. Furthermore, they may provide you with outer agency referrals to other services that may be beneficial to your family. Your advocate may also help bridge communication between your family and the investigative team as needed.

Investigator: Your investigator, whether law enforcement, child protection, or both, will have information pertaining to the status of the investigation. The law enforcement investigator’s goals are to determine if a crime has been committed and to gather information and submit for possible charging and prosecution. The child protection investigator’s goals are to determine if maltreatment occurred and determine if child protection services are needed for the child to safely remain in or return to the home. The flow chart on the next page contains additional information regarding the various routes your child’s investigation may take following their forensic interview at CornerHouse.

Physician: In any cases relating to physical or sexual abuse, it is beneficial for your child to see a physician who can check for any potential injuries or infections and provide appropriate treatment as needed. It can also be emotionally healing for children to see a physician and be reassured that their bodies are healthy and normal. In many cases relating to physical or sexual abuse, we recommend seeing a physician who has special training in conducting these pediatric medical exams. The Otto Bremer Trust Center for Safe and Healthy Children at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, can provide these medical exams. These exams can be done at no cost to you if your child has been interviewed at CornerHouse. These exams may be requested by you or your investigator if there are concerns of the physical or emotional well-being of your child. If your child has not been interviewed at CorrnerHouse but you have concerns of an abuse related injury, you may still schedule an appointment with the Center for Safe and Healthy Children.

What do I need to know about the medical exam?
It may be requested that your loved one receive a medical examination after the interview. A medical exam may be requested in order to identify both healed and new injuries, to test for possible sexually transmitted infections, to begin any necessary treatment, and to relieve anxieties that you or your loved one may have about the health of their body. If your loved one has not been scheduled for a medical exam and you would like for him or her to receive one, talk with Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services and/or a CornerHouse advocate and they can assist you with making an appointment.

CornerHouse partners with the Center for Safe and Healthy Children (CSHC) at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital for medical examinations. CSHC is dedicated to providing comprehensive medical care for victims and potential victims of child abuse and neglect. If your loved one has a medical examination, your family will see both a medical provider and a social worker. 

In addition to the medical examination, CSHC will provide families with support, education, and resources. CSHC provides specialized care to children and adolescents who are victims or possible victims of any form of maltreatment, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect.  If you have any questions about the Center for Safe and Healthy Children or your loved one’s medical examination, please contact them at 612-273-7233.

How can I access the CornerHouse records?
CornerHouse records are confidential investigative data, protected by statute.  After the case is closed, it may be possible for caregivers to get a copy of the interview report and/or see the video. Please call the front desk at 612-813-8300 to learn about the process for accessing your child’s records.