THE PRESENTATIONS WERE RECORDED AT THE FIFTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE AND EDITED FOR OPTIMAL LISTENING. THE CONFERENCE WAS SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JUDGES AND THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ASSOCIATION. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS, EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS, AND OTHERS. AN INTERVIEW'S GOALS ARE TO OBTAIN FACTS REGARDING AN ALLEGED SITUATION AND TO DISCOVER THE YOUNG PERSONS INVOLVEMENT IN IT. ANOTHER GOAL IS TO LEARN ABOUT THE YOUNG PERSON'S HOME SITUATION OR OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS. THIS INFORMATION HELPS THE POLICE OFFICER MAKE AN INTELLIGENT DECISION REGARDING FURTHER ACTION OR SERVICES REGARDING THE CHILD. POLICE MUST ALSO INTERVIEW YOUTHFUL VICTIMS AND CHILDREN IN QUESTIONABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW, THE OFFICER SHOULD OBTAIN ALL RELEVANT FACTS. THE HOME IS USUALLY THE LEAST DESIRABLE SETTING FOR LEARNING THE TRUTH. THE SCHOOL IS RECOMMENDED IF POSSIBLE. YOUNG PEOPLE MUST BE ADVISED OF THEIR RIGHTS WHEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, BUT PARENTS NEED NOT ALWAYS BE NOTIFIED REGARDING INFORMAL CONTACTS. THE DECISION TO FINGERPRINT OR TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD BE BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL CASE'S CIRCUMSTANCES. THE MOST IMPORTANT INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUE IS LISTENING. ASKING LIMITED, NONJUDGMENTAL QUESTIONS IS ALSO IMPORTANT. TECHNIQUES WHICH PROMOTE CONSTRUCTIVE CLINICAL INTERVIEWS INCLUDE ALLOWING FLEXIBLE TIME AND TIMING, PROVIDING A QUIET ENVIRONMENT, AND PROVIDING A NONTHREATENING SEATING ARRANGEMENT. INTERVIEW STYLE SHOULD BE GEARED TO EACH CLIENT'S NEEDS. OTHER RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUES ARE MINIMIZATION OF NOTETAKING DURING THE INTERVIEW, USE OF INFORMAL QUESTIONS, USE OF OPENENDED QUESTIONS, AND CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF SILENCE. FOR RELATED CASSETTE TAPES, SEE NCJ 69126-30 AND 72652.