Being On-Call for the Children of Dallas County!
This week is National Forensic Interviewer Appreciation Week! The DCAC Forensic Interview Team assists Dallas County law enforcement and Child Protective Services investigators by conducting specialized and unique investigative interviews of children making an outcry of abuse. The goal of a forensic interview is to gather pertinent information from children in a neutral, non-leading, developmentally sensitive, and legally defensible manner.
We are so lucky to have a team of six full-time forensic interviewers led by the Director of Forensic Services, an assistant director, and supported by a program support associate, who work tirelessly to ensure that we provide the best interviewing service to the children of Dallas County.
One way the DCAC Forensic Services team exhibits a servant’s heart, one of DCAC’s core values, is through their dedication to always being available for the children who need them. Due to the need in our community, the Forensic Services team committed to an on-call system, so they are available 24/7, 365 days a year, for priority one cases. In the last six months, the Forensic Services team completed 902 forensic interviews, with 106 happening outside normal business hours.
Laura Cordoba | DCAC Forensic Interviewer
Being on-call as a forensic interviewer is a demanding role that requires readiness, adaptability, and a deep commitment to “our why.” It’s a common saying within this field that abuse does not solely occur between the hours of 9 and 5. This saying encompasses the fundamental truth that abuse is not confined to a specific time frame; it can happen at any hour, day or night, holiday, weekend, etc. This reality highlights the importance of being readily available and prepared, so much so that our phones become an extension of us during our on-call week. This attachment to our phones creates a deep dedication to being available whenever and wherever possible, ensuring that the families of Dallas County receive timely support and care.
In hearing the first few rings of my phone, my heart begins to race with anticipation, and my mind starts to get curious about what I’m being called in for. Whether it’s 7 p.m. or 2 a.m., I always turn to my “why” as a powerful motivator and reminder of why I am a forensic interviewer. As forensic interviewers, having a strong commitment to “our why” anchors us in DCAC’s mission of acting with a servant’s heart and putting the children first in all we do.
We are so thankful for this team and the life-changing services they provide to the most vulnerable population in Dallas County: children who have experienced criminal child abuse. Forensic Services team, THANK YOU for your dedication to the children and families DCAC serves.
To learn more about the DCAC Forensic Services team, click here.
