Forgotten Victims: The Forensic Interview
The Forgotten Victims Podcast, hosted by Scott Modell Ph.D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW, educates and empowers multidisciplinary team members to successfully investigate crimes against individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. With decades of experience between them, they share how teams can successfully seek justice for vulnerable victims by discussing research, case examples and sharing practical skills for every step of an investigation. Join Scott and Staci to learn more about how you can make an impact in your community and better serve victims with disabilities through your work.
Episodes
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 bot
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 prosecutio
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
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
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
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 empo
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
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 adul
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 F
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.
Episode 26 / Unconscious Bias in a Forensic Interview with Joshua Bissell
In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW and MCG Senior Consultant, Kate Homan MS are joined by Program Director for the Children's Advocacy Centers of Michigan, Joshua Bissell. Josh shares his experience working on a project that works to improve the forensic interview system for marginalized and vulnerable communities. Over the last two years, his team created a training that explains why forensic i
Episode 25 / Emerging Trends with Katherine Yoder MS, CFI
In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW are joined by Executive Director of the Adult Advocacy Centers, Katherine Yoder, MS, CFI. Katherine shares her experience as an individual with Autism and also discusses emerging trends she's recognized in the disability field.Katherine Yoder is a certified forensic interviewer and a person with disabilities herself. For more than 20 yea
Episode 24 / Abuse Dynamics
In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss abuse dynamics and the barriers to disclosure. Drawing from their own experiences, Scott and Staci provide tips for forensic interviewers and multi-disciplinary teams to better understanding abuse dynamics and recognizing a pattern of behavior before conducting a forensic interview.
Episode 23 / When is enough, enough?
In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss making the difficult decision to end an interview in the best interest of the interviewee. Drawing from their own experiences, Scott and Staci explain in detail traditional and complex blocks and barriers that prevent an interview from continuing.
Episode 22/ Assumptions in Interviews, Investigations and Assessments
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss how assumptions can impact professionals when conducting investigations. Drawing from their own experience, Scott and Staci explain in detail about assumptions they've heard and what individuals should be aware of.
Episode 21 / Linda Cordisco-Steele M.Ed., LPC
In this episode, Staci and Senior Consultant, Kate Homan MS are joined by Linda Cordisco-Steele M.Ed., LPC to discuss her experience as the Director of Forensic Interview Training and Services at the National Children's Advocacy Center. As an experienced forensic interviewer, Linda discusses what keeps her motivated to continue this great work and how continued learning is essential for interviewe
Episode 20 / Becoming a Forensic Interviewer featuring Julie Kenniston
In this episode, Staci and Senior Consultant, Kate Homan MS are joined by Julie Kenniston, MSW to discuss her experience as a forensic interviewer and trainer. Julie talks about what she observes during trainings that would be helpful for interviewers and investigators as we think about the multi-disciplinary approach.Julie Kenniston, MSW, LISW is a Program Manager for the National Criminal Justic
Episode 19 / Specific Interview Guidelines
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss specific interview guidelines that are useful when interviewing individuals with disabilities.
Episode 18 / "I" Intellectual Disability
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss Intellectual Disability and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.
Episode 17 / "C" Cerebral Palsy
In this episode Scott and Staci, talk about Cerebral Palsy. They dive deep into what Cerebral Palsy is and focus on conducting forensic interviews with individuals with Cerebral Palsy.
Episode 16 / "P" Prosecuting Crimes: An Interview with Patricia Gunning, J.D.
In this episode, MCG Founder, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Senior Consultant, Dermot Whelan Police Sgt., Retired. interview Patricia Gunning, J.D about her experience prosecuting crimes against individuals with disabilities. Before entering private practice, Ms. Gunning served as the Special Prosecutor and Inspector General for the New York State Justice Center. A 2002 graduate of St. John’s Law School
Episode 15 / "D" Disability Awareness Training: An Interview with David Whalen
In this episode, Staci and MCG Senior Consultant, Dermot Whelan, Police Sgt., Retired, discuss disability awareness training with Niagara University First Responders' Project Director, David Whalen.David Whalen founded Disability Awareness Training (DAT) in September 2004. He specializes in training law enforcement, emergency responders, human service providers, public, private, and school transpo
Episode 14 / "B" Behavioral Health
In this episode, Staci and MCG Senior Consultant, Kate Homan, MS, interview Dr. Sarah Thomas, PsyD, HSPP about her experience as a clinical psychologist working in the fields of behavioral and mental health.Dr. Thomas graduated from Indiana State University and Louisiana State University Medical School. Dr. Thomas currently directs a team of mental health professionals in a pediatric behavioral he
Episode 13 / "A" Abuse in Later Life
In this episode, Scott and Staci interview Chris Dubble, MSW about his experience working with older adult victims and adult protective services professionals.
Episode 12 / Communication Considerations with Individuals Who Do Not Speak
In this episode, Scott Modell, Ph.D, and Staci Whitney, LMSW discuss communication considerations as well as engagement and rapport with individuals who do not speak.
Episode 11 / Victim Selection
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss why some victims are chosen by offenders over others.
Episode 10 / Multiple Perspectives in a Case
In this episode, we have special guest, Dermot Whelan, Senior Consultant for MCG. Staci and Dermot discuss the importance of offering multiple perspectives on a case when training.
Episode 9 / Overcoming Blocks and Barriers in an Interview
In this episode, we have special guest, Kate Homan, Senior Consultant for MCG. Kate and Staci discuss tools for overcoming blocks and barriers in a forensic interview.
Episode 8 / Investigating Crimes
In this episode, we have special guest, Dermot Whelan, Senior Consultant for MCG. Dermot and Scott discuss investigating crimes against individuals with disabilities, specifically those who live in a facility.Before specializing in investigating crimes against individuals with disabilities, Mr. Whelan started his police career in 1991 as a member of the New York City Housing Police and attended th
Episode 7 / Narrative Event Practice
In this episode, we have a special guest, Kate Homan, Senior Consultant for MCG. Kate and Staci discuss narrative event practice, an effective tool for maintaining rapport and establishing a baseline during interviews of individuals regardless of age or ability. Kate shares examples and research to help interviewers engage in successful narrative event practice.
Episode 6 / Verbal, Non-Verbal and Low-Functioning
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss the labels verbal, non-verbal and low-functioning and better ways to describe how individuals with disabilities communicate.
Episode 5 / Talking to Kids about Sexual Abuse
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss helpful tips on how to talk to kids about sexual abuse.
Episode 4 / Autism
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss strategies and tactics for interviewing individuals with Autism.
Episode 3 / The "D" Word: Data
In this episode, Scott and Staci focus on some of the data and statistics that Multi-Disciplinary Teams' should be aware of regarding crime victims with disabilities.
Episode 2 / The “C” Word: Capacity to Consent to Sexual Activity
In this episode, Scott and Staci discuss the steps that go in to assessing capacity to consent to sexual activity for individuals with intellectual disabilities. While this assessment does not happen during a forensic interview, someone’s capacity to consent impacts an entire investigation. As an expert in assessing capacity to consent to sexual activity for people with intellectual disabilities,
Episode 1 / Building Rapport
Scott and Staci discuss the importance of building rapport with individuals with disabilities during a forensic interview. They share stories, examples and strategies on how to effectively communicate with vulnerable victims.
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