Defending Child Abuse Allegations: The Critical Role of Forensic Interviews in Tampa

By The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. | Updated 2025

What is a forensic interview in Tampa? When the State accuses a person of child abuse or sex offenses in Tampa, the most damaging evidence often comes from a single source: the child’s statement.

However, obtaining this statement is not as simple as a police officer asking questions in a living room. In Hillsborough County, these high-stakes interrogations typically occur at a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), such as Mary Lee’s House in Tampa.

I am Tampa Attorney Rocky Brancato. For over 25 years, I have defended clients against these serious allegations. Furthermore, I spent years in an elite legal unit handling only child abuse, sex crimes, and homicide cases. I know exactly what happens behind the mirror at Mary Lee’s House, and I know how to challenge the reliability of what is said inside. Hiring the right Tampa Child Abuse Attorney or Tampa Sex Offense Attorney can make all the difference.

What Does a Forensic Interviewer Do?

Forensic interviewers are not police officers; they are civilians specially trained to speak with children. They follow rigorous protocols to create a “neutral” environment.

Ideally, the process looks like this:

1. Neutral Questioning: The interviewer uses open-ended questions (e.g., “Tell me about that”) rather than leading questions.
2. The “Earpiece” Dynamic: While the interviewer sits with the child, a “Multidisciplinary Team”—including detectives, Child Protective Investigators (CPI), and prosecutors—watches from behind a one-way mirror. They feed questions to the interviewer via an earpiece.
3. Video Recording: The State records every word and gesture for later use in court.

However, just because a professional conducts the interview does not mean the testimony is accurate.

The Real Danger: “Contaminated” Testimony

A major issue in Tampa child abuse cases arises when a child’s memory becomes contaminated before they ever reach the forensic interviewer.

Well-meaning but untrained individuals—such as parents, teachers, or foster care providers—often speak with the child first. Unfortunately, these early discussions can introduce “Confirmation Bias.”

How Contamination Happens:

• Leading Questions: If a parent repeatedly asks, “Did he touch you?” the child may eventually say “yes” to stop the questioning or to please the parent.
• Authority Influence: Children are naturally suggestible. They often alter their stories to match what they believe the adult wants to hear.
• The “Scripted” Narrative: Once a child repeats an inaccurate story enough times, it cements in their mind as a false memory. Consequently, even a perfectly conducted forensic interview at Mary Lee’s House cannot undo this damage. The child is simply reciting a script they learned at home.

How We Attack the Interview

If you hire The Brancato Law Firm, we do not take the forensic interview at face value. Instead, we dissect it.

My background allows me to evaluate the timeline of the child’s questioning meticulously. We look for:

1. The “Pre-Interview” Timeline: Who talked to the child first? Did a teacher or parent plant the idea?
2. Improper Techniques: Did the forensic interviewer break protocol? Did they become suggestive or coercive when the child denied the abuse?
3. Investigator Bias: Did the detective behind the mirror push the interviewer to “get the confession” rather than find the truth?

In addition, during depositions, I aggressively question the adults involved to expose any coaching or influence that occurred before the official tape started rolling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Mary Lee’s House?

Mary Lee’s House is a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Tampa. It is a facility where law enforcement, child protection professionals, and medical staff collaborate to investigate child abuse allegations. Most forensic interviews in Hillsborough County occur here.

Can I watch my child’s forensic interview?

No. Parents are strictly prohibited from watching the interview or being in the room while it happens. This rule exists to prevent the parent from signaling answers to the child.

Can a child’s testimony be thrown out?

Yes. If we can prove that the interview technique was fundamentally flawed, coercive, or that the child was deemed incompetent to distinguish truth from lies, the judge may suppress the statement or limit its use in court.

Is the forensic interview the only evidence?

Usually, no. The State relies on the interview, but they also look for medical evidence and corroborating witnesses. However, in many cases, the child’s statement is the only evidence the State has. This makes attacking the interview’s reliability the most critical part of your defense.

Protect Your Future. Call Rocky Brancato.

Facing allegations involving a child’s statement is a nightmare. It requires experienced legal representation that understands the science of memory and the rules of evidence.

The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. 620 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 205 Tampa, FL 33602

Call (813) 727-7159 for a confidential consultation.