Tackling the challenges of interpreter-assisted police interviews

Graduate’s research on the challenges of interpreters being present in police interviews has been published in the National Police Library.

Date: 22 November 2016

A London Met alumna has had her research published in the National Police Library, a collection of research which sets standards of professional practice and supports the professional development of those working in policing.

Katrina Mayfield, an MA Conference Interpreting graduate, submitted her thesis discussing the challenges of conducting interviews with victims and witnesses when a translator is present.

Katrina said: “I am truly grateful that I have had a chance to complete this study as it supports practitioners in the field and allowed evidence based conclusions to be drawn that might help the law enforcement institutions in their daily work.

“My work aimed to help the users of the language service to develop a golden standard in the working practices when using an interpreter.”

Katrina worked on her thesis under the supervision of Dr Alex Krouglov, International Projects Co-ordinator and Associate Professor in Interpreting and Translation. He said: “The results of Katrina's research covering interpreter-assisted investigative interviews of non-English speaking victims and witnesses and the subsequent witness statement taking procedures made a significant impact on both interpreters and police force.

“She was able to collect a wealth of information which she effectively analysed in her MA dissertation. Katrina's conclusions and recommendations received an outstanding feedback from professional organisations, police and colleagues in other universities.

“The extended abstract of her dissertation was published by the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the entire dissertation appeared in the National Police Library. This is a significant achievement for a London Met student which develops a very important link with the outside professional world, and has an impact on the current practice. I hope that Katrina will continue her research as part of her doctoral studies in the future.”

You can read Katrina’s report on the National Police Library website.