Experimental studies examining child 'witnesses' under cross-examination typically rely on researchers questioning children using a 'barrister's script'. In the current research, experienced barristers used a defence statement from a mock perpetrator (who committed a theft 11 months earlier) to challenge typically developing children's evidence under cross-examination. We also assessed whether Registered Intermediaries (RIs), trained professionals who facilitate communication between vulnerable witnesses and members of the justice system, help children reduce compliance with misleading cross-examination suggestions. Results demonstrated that children (6–11 years) complied with barristers' challenges to a high degree: 94% agreed with at least one of the barristers' seven false suggestions. However, when assisted by an RI, children were significantly less compliant with barrister challenges. These findings, and additional analyses of the nature of child responses and barrister questions, provide novel exploratory evidence for the beneficial role of RIs in tempering the adverse effects of cross-examination style questioning for children.

中文翻译：

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中介机构和儿童的盘问韧性：一种新的实验方法的发展

在交叉询问中检查儿童“证人”的实验研究通常依赖于研究人员使用“大律师的脚本”询问儿童。在当前的研究中，有经验的大律师使用模拟肇事者（他在 11 个月前犯下盗窃罪）的辩护陈述来质疑在盘问下典型的儿童证据。我们还评估了注册中介 (RI)，即促进弱势证人与司法系统成员之间沟通的训练有素的专业人员，是否有助于儿童减少对误导性盘问建议的遵守。结果表明，儿童（6-11 岁）高度服从大律师的挑战：94% 的儿童至少同意大律师七项错误建议中的一项。然而，在 RI 的协助下，儿童对大律师挑战的服从性明显降低。这些发现，以及对儿童回答和大律师问题性质的额外分析，为 RI 在缓和儿童交叉询问式提问的不利影响方面的有益作用提供了新的探索性证据。