What is the primary purpose of the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview (FETI) technique?

• A. To understand the victim's experience and memory affected by trauma.
• B. To gather physical evidence from the scene.
• C. To assess the victim's credibility using a standard police interview.
• D. To determine the defendant's motive.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview focuses on how trauma shapes a survivor’s experience and memory. This method guides the person to recount what happened in terms of their own sensations, emotions, and the sequence of events, recognizing that trauma can distort or fragment memory. By prioritizing experiential details and the survivor’s lived experience, investigators can build a clearer picture of the incident from the victim’s perspective while minimizing retraumatization.

This is why it’s the best choice: it centers on understanding what the victim experienced and how trauma affected their memory, rather than trying to gather physical evidence at a scene, assess credibility with a standard police interview, or determine the defendant’s motive. The approach is about the survivor’s inner experience and memory, not about those other investigative aims.