A FiveSeven Consulting Perspective on Memory, Recollection and Lived Experience
At FiveSeven Consulting, we understand that investigations are not conducted in a vacuum. They involve people - often at moments of vulnerability, distress, or heightened stress. Many individuals who participate in workplace investigations, whether as a Person Raising Allegation(s), Witnesses, or Person Subject of Allegation(s), may have experienced trauma arising from workplace conduct, critical incidents, or cumulative exposure to harm.
Trauma‑informed interviewing recognises this reality. It is an evidence‑based approach that acknowledges how trauma can affect behaviour, communication, and memory, and adapts investigative practice accordingly. At FiveSeven Consulting, we see trauma‑informed interviewing not as an alternative to rigorous investigation, but as a necessary component of fair, effective, and defensible investigative outcomes.
Why Trauma‑Informed Interviewing Matters
The primary role of an investigator is to determine what occurred – to undertake a Fact-Finding Process using the civil standard of proof: ‘on the balance of probabilities.’ In most investigations, interviews are the key mechanism through which information is obtained. How those interviews are planned and conducted has a direct impact on both the wellbeing of the interviewee and the reliability of the information gathered.
A trauma‑informed approach recognises that individuals affected by trauma and traumatic events/exposures may struggle to participate fully in traditional interview processes. When interviewees feel unsafe, powerless, or overwhelmed, their capacity to recall events accurately and communicate clearly can be compromised. Conversely, when people feel supported and respected, they are more likely to engage meaningfully and provide higher‑quality information.
At FiveSeven Consulting, we adopt trauma‑informed practices to reduce the risk of re‑traumatisation, enhance the accuracy of evidence, and uphold procedural fairness for all parties involved.
Understanding Trauma and Memory
One of the most persistent misconceptions in investigations is the expectation that truthful accounts will be linear, detailed, and consistent over time. Psychological research demonstrates that this assumption is flawed—particularly where trauma or high stress is involved.
Memory is not a recording of events. It is a reconstructive process that is influenced by stress, emotional arousal, prior experiences, post‑event information, repetition, and time delay. During traumatic or highly stressful experiences, the brain prioritises survival rather than detailed narrative formation. As a result, memories may be encoded differently.
Trauma can affect recollection in several ways, including:
Fragmented or non‑linear recall
Strong memory for emotionally intense moments, with reduced recall of peripheral details
Difficulty recalling dates, times, or sequences
Gaps in memory or expressed uncertainty
These responses are well‑established and common trauma reactions. At FiveSeven Consulting, we caution against interpreting such features as indicators of unreliability or dishonesty.
Repeated Events and Credibility in Workplace Matters
Many workplace investigations involve repeated behaviours rather than isolated incidents - for example, ongoing bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), and/or inappropriate conduct. Research shows that individuals who experience repeated events often remember what occurred across incidents but may struggle to particularise when a specific incident took place.
Despite this, repeated‑event accounts are frequently perceived as less credible than single‑event accounts, even when they are truthful. Investigators who rely on confidence, certainty, or narrative polish as proxies for credibility risk drawing inaccurate conclusions.
A trauma‑informed approach requires Investigators to assess evidence holistically, recognising and understanding that memory limitations are often a function of experience rather than intent.
FiveSeven Consulting’s Trauma‑Informed Interviewing Approach
At FiveSeven Consulting, trauma‑informed interviewing is embedded throughout the investigative process. Our approach integrates an understanding of trauma without compromising objectivity, neutrality, or evidentiary standards.
Key elements of our approach include:
Creating interview environments that prioritise psychological safety and dignity
Allowing flexibility in narrative structure rather than insisting on strict chronology
Using open‑ended, non‑leading questions that support recall
Avoiding credibility assessments based on emotional presentation, inconsistency, or uncertainty
Supporting interviewee agency, including the use of breaks and support persons where appropriate
We commonly apply structured interview frameworks, such as the P.E.A.C.E. model, in a trauma‑informed way—ensuring interviews remain methodical while accommodating the realities of trauma‑affected memory.
Balancing Rigour with Care
Trauma‑informed interviewing does not require Investigators to act as counsellors or advocates. It requires skill, preparation, and awareness. By understanding how trauma and stress affect memory and behaviour, Investigators can ask better questions, interpret evidence more accurately, and reduce the risk of causing further harm.
At FiveSeven Consulting, we believe that strong investigations are both rigorous and humane. A trauma‑informed approach strengthens investigative outcomes, enhances procedural fairness, and reflects a contemporary understanding of human behaviour.
Ultimately, investigations are about establishing facts - but they are also about how people experience the process. Trauma‑informed interviewing ensures that those experiences do not undermine the integrity of the investigation itself.
Author: Jess Allen
Class 2E Private Investigator
