The study examined the perspectives of legal professionals in relation to the use of facility dogs in building rapport and credibility with child witnesses. 70 legal professionals from across North America, who had experience interviewing children, both with and without the use of a facility dog, were recruited to take part. Utilising a holistic mixed-method design, data was collected via an online questionnaire, which asked participants about the impact they felt a facility dog had on rapport and witness credibility during police interviews with children. The results highlighted the positive impact that facility dogs have on child witnesses, not only in helping build rapport and witness credibility, but also for creating a more positive experience for young witnesses going through the criminal justice process. The results therefore provide evidence for the consideration of these dogs in countries beyond North America, as they provide an invaluable service to young witnesses.

该研究考察了法律专业人员在使用设施犬与儿童证人建立融洽关系和信誉方面的观点。招募了来自北美各地的70名法律专家，他们有采访儿童的经验，无论是否使用过设施犬。利用整体的混合方法设计，通过在线调查表收集了数据，该调查表询问了参与者他们认为设施狗对融洽的影响，并在警察与儿童进行面谈时见证了信誉。结果突显了设施犬对儿童证人的积极影响，不仅有助于建立融洽的关系和证人的信誉，而且还有助于为经历刑事司法程序的年轻证人创造更积极的经历。