Using BJDs In Forensic Interviews

If barbie dolls can be used, BJDs probably could too. Sometimes, you might want to go with a more childish one in case the child thinks that an older one might resemble their molester.

I could definitely see it as a possibility, though some kids, like some boys, might not feel comfortable talking to a doll, instead of something like a plush or puppet, as many times dolls are seen as girly, no matter what gender they are.

 

Seconding that BJDs could probably be used - But might the cost not be prohibitive? I think that soft dolls are usually used so that squishing/pinching actions can be mimicked, and to give the child a sense of familiarity - Handing them a totally unfamiliar humanoid object, bigger than any other doll they've seen, then dropping its trousers - That could be a bit terrifying for a child that's in need of a forensic interview.

 

Since the use of dolls in forensic interviews is seen as somewhat controversial in current scientific findings (there are hints that the interviews with the use of the soft/plush, anatomically-correct dolls used for these things today produce shorter and even less verbal responses, and the validity and reliability of the results is not proven yet), I would not suggest using BJDs in forensic interviews neíther.

BJDs also don't provide the same type of anatomical correctness as the dolls used today, since the anatomical details of most BJDs are highly symbolized/simplified.

 

Like Dollblue said, the use of forensic dolls is fairly controversial now. That method of interviewing was created in a time when lots of children were being coerced into making false claims of sexual abuse, and from what I've heard, was created by someone who was a little on the shady side of things.

That said, besides the uncanny valley-ness and cost of BJDs, the forensic interview dolls are created to "fit together", which is not a feature that unmodded BJDs have.

 

In play therapy, children are often encouraged to tell their stories through the act of play. Sometimes they will choose a doll to do this with. As for the use of anatomically correct dolls in interviews where a counselor is present with or working for the police in a separate room, I'd doubt that the use of BJDs would either be cost efficient or a good option. Some children who have been through trauma can react strongly when coming to a specific part of their "story." As such, something that is easily breakable wouldn't be a very good option for this type of investigation. Most of the time these kids need something they can rough up in these situations.

 

Do you think BJDs could be used as such? If so, why or why not? Would there be any advantages or disadvantages to doing so? Do you think it would be professional to use an appropriately aged, anatomically correct BJD in an interview?

my first thought was, no. after reading the previous comments, i still think it's not as feasible, because barring the cost, it's not a good idea to use bjds which are more breakable, and which may constitute a danger (for one, resin is toxic to us if ingested; resin dust is bad for our lungs etc). also, such dolls are usually meant for the child to use for role play, and bjds are not exactly a convenient size for most children to er, "play" around with. size wise, SDs are definitely out and the 2 choices left, MSDs and tinies are more child-like, which i suppose is a plus, but may perhaps still be too heavy or hard to grip etc for such interviews. the fact that bjds are anatomically correct may also be a problem, or an advantage, depending on the situation, i suppose. i'm speculating, of course, but i believe it's just not a very feasible idea to use bjds for such interviews.

 

Some children are violently abused. I have seen a study( in my psychology class, you can see the film on youtube) where they showed children violent actions such as an adult punching a blow up doll and after the children saw the film they mimicked the film with the same dummy. They put the exact same blow up doll that was in the film in the room with the children. I imagine if the child suffered violent actions they would simulate those same reactions. I think a rag type doll is more suitable for that time of thing. The costs associated are just too much.

 

I believe you're referring to the Bobo experiment, Tsukidoll.

 

Why not? It would be really expensive and you could take any other doll that isn't as expensive to have around just for that, but yeah... why not?

 

I don't really see it as working. There was much better options.

First of all, as stated, the method itself is controversial. But secondly, you want a doll a child can handle. Depending on scale, a BJD could be awkward for a child. Joints can also be unruly and snappy. I'd be more worried that the child would be too interested in the unfamiliar style of doll to give a reliable account of their experiences.

 

Both of these quotes bring up one reason why it could be a notoriously bad idea to use BJDs. Rag dolls (and even Barbies and Kens) are safe in that they have no obvious sexual organs. Barbie has no nipples, and Ken has molded underwear, and rag dolls just have nothing in either area! Both toys are human like, but not exactly human. They're the most non-sexual human dolls you can get.

It'd be easier to disassociate from the 'story' if you use such dolls, but I feel that if you used an anatomically correct doll like a BJD, it's more likely that the child would associate those areas with their own, and relive their terrible experiences all over again through the doll.

I could be wrong. I also could be making absolutely no sense whatsoever But if I was a forensic interviewer, I wouldn't risk the child reliving the moment just by looking at the doll.

 

I am lol It was really interesting and I hate to say this but some children do like to imitate the bad behaviors more than the good. It was a really interesting experiment. There are more but I think this one best fit what I was saying.

Oh, and another point is joints can pinch. I have been pinched by accident when messing with my doll and the last thing you want is a kid upset over being pinched.

 

Of course they do. It's freeing. And if they learn that an adult can do it and get away with it, they are more quick to imitate. Fascinating study.

 

Can it be used? Maybe. Will it happen? No.

As people have said, it`s going to be very high maintenance. Budget-wise, I`m quite sure that`s not going to be possible as they already have other choices which cost less and are possibly as effective as using a BJD.

Besides the cost factor, Resin dolls are fragile, and as some companies say it is "made for people over the age of 15", providing that these dolls aren`t really intended for small children. I would assume the children who need to use Forensic dolls are going to mostly be small children who don`t have a huge vocabulary yet.

They are also heavy and easy to knock down, possibly injuring the child as they tried to "demonstrate" what happened to them with dolls.

Had the kid actually been abused in a manner, I would assume they`re not really going to like "eyes" staring at them no matter what angle. BJD`s primarily will have those glass eyes that will look at you from any angle, possibly getting the child more uncomfortable, and making them less verbal.

I would say the point of using dolls as they are currently(I take for instance barbies) is how they`re so much more "unrealistic" (no "sexual" parts), and it allows them to disassociate partially with what they`re demonstrating, reducing the trauma level from a more "realistic" looking doll who is anatomically correct.

 

Dolls that are used in forensic questioning are anatomically correct. They also have other 'realistic' features down to hair in certain locations and all orifices humans do because the child shows what has happened to him with these dolls.

....They are not nice at all to look at, but they do serve a purpose.

I know a lot of kids are turned off by them, but again a prettier vessel like a BJD is impractical for reasons I mentioned in the first response I made.

I've seen children though tell amazing stories with "family characters" of all varieties. One of the most sad things I've witnessed was one child telling what had happened to her family through the use of toy horses. This was long before I started my master's in counseling and was a very young lady trying on my teaching sleeves in a special education environment.

Anyway, the use of dolls in forensic interviews has become controversial and even highly debated in some places. This provides more information:

http://www.ipt-forensics.com/library/jmcraig2.htm

I think after this has been looked at, it might be better understood why BJDs aren't a good source.