PhD in Experimental Psychology - Forensic Developmental psychology in Toledo United States | University of Toledo

Our research lab explores how children develop social and cognitive abilities and how these findings can be utilized in legal contexts. Current studies examine various aspects of enhancing children's testimonies:

Can therapy dogs provide emotional support to help children disclose abuse? What are the most effective techniques for interviewing bilingual children? Why do children demonstrate touch more accurately with dolls than drawings? How does maternal questioning influence children's accounts? How does a child's race affect jurors' views of young witnesses? Which interview methods encourage adolescent disclosures (a group often overlooked in eyewitness research)? What experiences do survivors of sex trafficking describe when interacting with police?

This work aims to develop and refine evidence-based forensic methods for child witnesses, strengthening the credibility of their court statements. I've provided expert testimony nationally and internationally.