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Forgotten Victims: The Forensic Interview

Forgotten Victims: The Forensic Interview

by Modell Consulting Group

Courses Social Sciences Personal Journals

Season 2

Episode 36 / Forensic Evaluation vs. Forensic Interview: Understanding the Difference featuring Geoff Sidoli

What’s the difference between a forensic interview and a forensic evaluation—and why does it matter? In this episode of Forgotten Victims, Geoff Sidoli breaks down the distinct purposes of forensic interviews and forensic evaluations, explaining when each is appropriate and how they work together within investigations involving children. Geoff discusses the goals, methodologies, and outcomes of both processes, while highlighting the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between them. He also shares practical guidance on communicating these concepts to children in a way that is developmentally appropriate, transparent, and supportive. Whether you're a forensic interviewer, investigator, child protection professional, or multidisciplinary team member, this episode provides valuable insight into ensuring children understand the process and professionals maintain role clarity throughout an investigation. Geoff Sidoli, LCSW, is the current National Training Fellow and past Coordinator for the National Children’s Alliance Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes. He assists CACs around the country developing, implementing, and sustaining mental health services including ones for children and youth exhibiting problematic sexual behavior (PSB). Geoff co-developed and trains an enhancement of TF-CBT for PSB with adolescents and with young children. He is a clinical member of the Association for the Prevention and Treatment Sexual Abuse (ATSA) as well as a Fellow. He sits on ATSA’s child and adolescent committee as well as the ethic’s committee. Geoff is also NCA’s Training and Technical Advisor for PSB and facilitates NCA’s youth with problematic sexual behaviors national work group. He continues to treat youth and families for trauma and PSB at the CAC he founded in Asheville, NC.

Episode 35 / The Importance of Working on a MDT and Collaborating with Adult Protective Services featuring Tim Grant

In this episode, Scott and Staci are joined by Sergeant Timothy F. X. Grant about the importance of working on a multi disciplinary team and collaborating with adult protective services. From his perspective in the field, Sergeant Grant discusses how multidisciplinary teamwork strengthens investigations, improves outcomes for vulnerable adults, and bridges the gap between protection and prosecution. Sergeant Timothy F. X. Grant is a retired 36-year veteran of law enforcement, currently working as a post retiree with the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. For the past 23 years Sergeant Grant had been assigned to the State Police Detective Unit (SPDU) attached to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) and was the Unit Supervisor for 11 years. Sergeant Grant oversaw the Troopers assigned to the SPDU/DPPC and reviewed DPPC’s intake reports for criminal activity and investigated crimes committed against persons with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. He worked collaboratively with district attorneys, municipal police, adult protective service investigators, medical personnel, agencies providing services to persons with disabilities and others to ensure persons with disabilities received the same protections and rights as the public at large. Sergeant Grant has participated in the development of national and state training videos and training curricula. He has presented locally, statewide and nationally on issues relating to crimes committed against persons with disabilities and the role of law enforcement.

Episode 34 / MCG Podcast Episode 34- The Role of the Ombudsman in APS featuring Teresa Teeple

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW, is joined by Teresa Teeple, the Tennessee State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Teresa brings her deep expertise and experience to address common misunderstandings about what an Ombudsman does. From advocating for residents’ rights to navigating complex long-term care systems, Teresa sheds light on this vital role. This episode highlights the importance of advocacy in long-term care settings and the essential role Ombudsman play in being a voice for residents. Teresa Teeple has been the Tennessee State Long-Term Care Ombudsman since 2022. In this role, she leads a team of 19 district ombudsman staff who address issues and complaints for residents of roughly 700 long-term care facilities, accounting for around 60,000 beds in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes. She also works to ensure long-term care residents' rights are protected by influencing policies and procedures that may improve their quality of life and care at the local, state, and national levels. Teresa’s entire career has been in aging services, beginning as a local ombudsman and, subsequently, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Arizona. She then led a team of care managers who worked with older adults and people with disabilities in Rhode Island. Prior to assuming her current role in Tennessee, Teresa oversaw the Ohio Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s advocacy efforts for people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. She holds Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration degrees from The State University of New York Binghamton and a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Episode 33 / Facilitated Communication

What is Facilitated Communication? In this episode, Scott and Staci unpack how this method—often described as assisted typing for individuals with disabilities—has sparked debate in clinical and legal settings. CEO, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Senior Director, Staci Whitney, LMSW, explore how this method is intended to support communication, but the lack of reliable data prove its ineffectiveness. They explore why it should not be used during forensic interviews and what professionals need to know.

Episode 32 / Dispelling Myths About Autism in Forensic Interviews

In this episode, Scott and Staci dive into the misconceptions surrounding autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—particularly as they relate to emotional expression and perception during forensic interviews and investigations. CEO, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Senior Director, Staci Whitney, LMSW explore how traditional assumptions can lead investigators to misread emotional cues or dismiss credible disclosures from individuals with autism. They emphasize the importance of understanding neurodiversity, adapting interview techniques, and avoiding judgment based on affect alone.

Episode 31 / Disability Advocacy with Megan Young

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW is joined by disability advocate, Megan Young. Megan shares her lived experiences as a woman with a disability and the incredible advocacy work she is doing at Project Everlast in Nebraska. Project Everlast is a statewide, youth-led initiative committed to providing resources, connections and support to young adults without family support. Their goal is to empower young adults to build successful lives as independent adults. Megan Young is a 25-year-old disability advocate from Nebraska. She found her passion in sharing her voice and her lived experiences with a disability in different areas of Nebraska to help educate and improve the gaps in all parts of the system.

Episode 30 / Building a Strong Case

In this episode, Staci and MCG Senior Consultant, Dermot Whelan, Police Sgt., Retired, are joined by the newest MCG team member, Senior Consultant and Legal Advisor, Rachel Dunn, J.D. Drawing from her own experiences and expertise, Rachel describes things she has seen in investigations that have been useful for her as a prosecutor when building a strong case. Rachel Dunn is a Senior Consultant and the Legal Advisor for Modell Consulting Group, LLC. With more than 16 years of experience trying cases, Ms. Dunn has prosecuted cases in 22 counties in New York state. Most recently, in 2017 she was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo as the Special Prosecutor and Inspector General for the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. In that role she led a team of attorneys that both prosecuted cases and trained and advised law enforcement and district attorneys regarding vulnerable victim interviews, charging considerations, and trial tactics. Ms. Dunn has developed and provided training programs to numerous law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and social service personnel. She has consulted with the Department of Justice on the unique vulnerability that individuals with disabilities face, particularly in the realm of human trafficking. Additionally, Ms. Dunn has presented at multiple quality and compliance conferences and is recognized as a thought leader in public service, criminal justice, and victim’s rights.

Episode 29 / Undue Influence and Elder Abuse with Candace Heisler, J.D.

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW, are joined by retired Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, Candace J. Heisler, J.D. More recently Candace's work has been a consultant and trainer regarding elder abuse, domestic violence, and abuse in later life. She also worked with MCG to develop our suite of SAFE trainings for interviewing older adults who are alleged victims of crime and maltreatment. Drawing from her experience and expertise, Candace explains what Undue Influence is and how it may impact the people that we work with. Candace J. Heisler, J.D., served as an Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco for over 25 years. During this time, she headed the Domestic Violence Unit, which handled both domestic violence and elder abuse cases, as well as the Charging, Misdemeanor, and Preliminary Hearing Units. She was an Adjunct Professor at Hastings College of the Law for more than 20 years. She now teaches a graduate course at Virginia Tech on ethics and aging. Ms. Heisler has written for and trained a variety of professionals about elder abuse, domestic violence, and the criminal justice system, including work sponsored by the American Bar Association, Futures Without Violence, the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, the Office for Victims of Crime, the Office on Violence Against Women, and the Judicial Council of California. She frequently presents at the annual National Adult Protective Services Association and other state Adult Protective Services (APS) conferences on related topics. Ms. Heisler has authored several curricula on interviewing alleged perpetrators, addressing undue influence, and working with the criminal justice system for APS Professionals.

Episode 28 / Increasing Safety for Individuals with Autism with Diana Orem, Ph.D., MS.

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW and MCG Senior Consultant Kate Homan, MS are joined by the Chair of the Forensic Psychology Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Dr. Diana Orem, Ph.D., MS. Drawing from her own experiences, Diana explains her shift to working with individuals with disabilities and vulnerable populations. She developed a training protocol for Law Enforcement and First Responders in Yavapai County, Arizona that increases safety, produces better outcomes, and reduces violence when interacting with individuals with Autism in the course of their work. Dr. Diana Orem holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Central Florida. She is a licensed psychologist with expertise in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental conditions. Her research entails identifying at-risk populations who are negatively impacted by legal-forensic issues as well as developing and evaluating law enforcement training. Dr. Orem is the Chair of the Forensic Psychology Program at ERAU. She teaches courses in forensic psychology, criminality, victimology, mental health in the criminal justice system, drugs, and deception. She also writes forensic reports and provides testimony for the King County Department of Public Defense, WA. Additionally, Dr. Orem provides training to law enforcement on how to safely approach autistic individuals.

Episode 27 / Diagnosing a Disability

In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss diagnosing a disability. Drawing from their own experiences, Scott and Staci provide a better understanding of the criteria that is required for someone to be diagnosed with a disability and some of the different ways an individual gets diagnosed with a disability.

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