Achieving Best Evidence (ABE): Are Your Interview Standards Fit for Purpose?

By Clare Gilbert · April 2026

Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) is the national guidance — updated in 2022 — governing how vulnerable and intimidated witnesses are interviewed across all agencies. For local authority investigators, compliance is not optional: ABE governs how evidence from children, people with disabilities and trauma-affected individuals is gathered, preserved and presented to a court. ABE interviews are among the most legally scrutinised work any investigator undertakes.

Why ABE compliance matters

Failure to follow ABE principles does not just risk evidence being challenged. It risks re-traumatising witnesses and undermining prosecutions that may have taken months of investigative work to build. A lack of training and current CPD in this area is a recognised issue across the public sector and a current area of Defence challenge.

The six areas of ABE competence

Legal framework

Understanding the ABE 2022 guidance, its underpinning legislation, relevant national reviews and multi-agency safeguarding frameworks.

Vulnerable witnesses

Recognising the specific needs of children, people with disabilities and trauma-affected individuals — and how those needs shape interview planning.

Interview skills

Planning and conducting ABE-compliant interviews: avoiding leading and suggestive questions, and applying the phases of the ABE interview structure.

Special measures

Applying intermediaries, ground rules hearings and special measures to support vulnerable witnesses before and during proceedings.

Trauma and memory

Understanding how trauma, memory and cognitive development affect the reliability of evidence — and adapting your approach accordingly.

Defensible documentation

Producing accurate, legally defensible written records and interview documentation that will withstand scrutiny at court.

Auditing your own standards

If your team conducts or contributes to ABE interviews, ask: when was their last ABE-specific CPD? Are interview plans documented against the 2022 guidance? Would your records withstand cross-examination?

Training that covers this

BDG runs practice-focused ABE CPD for safeguarding and criminal justice professionals — local authority investigators, social workers, healthcare professionals and police officers. See our investigation training courses or email info@bdgtrainingconsultancy.co.uk for upcoming workshop dates and in-house delivery.

This article is adapted from the BDG Investigator Bulletin, Edition 1 (April 2026). Download the full edition free — and subscribe to receive each monthly edition by email.

This article is provided for professional development purposes and does not constitute legal advice.