Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

TRUE OR FALSE: Alleged perpetrators can change their explanations while children's stories should remain unchanged.

1. True

2. False

3. Only true for serious abuses

4. Only true in court

The correct answer is: False

The statement is best understood through the lens of how narratives and testimonies can evolve over time. Alleged perpetrators often change their explanations as they may be trying to adapt their stories based on new information, legal advice, or pressure from various sources. This adaptability is part of the human condition, particularly in high-stress situations like criminal investigations. On the other hand, children's narratives, especially in the context of abuse or trauma, are sensitive and can be influenced by various factors such as memory, suggestion, or external pressures. However, it's important to recognize that children's accounts can also evolve over time as they process their experiences. They may recall new details or reinterpret events based on their development and understanding. Therefore, the notion that children's stories "should" remain unchanged does not reflect the reality of how they communicate and recall experiences. This understanding emphasizes that narratives, whether from alleged perpetrators or children, are subject to change based on numerous influences, contradicting the idea that one should remain static while the other fluctuates. This brings focus to the complex nature of testimony and memory in the context of criminal justice.