The court in New Jersey v. Margaret Kelly Michaels found nine factors sufficient to justify a pretrial taint hearing and to be considered, if a hearing is held, in determining whether a child's testimony is tainted and should be suppressed:

(a) absence of spontaneous recall;

(b) interviewer bias against defendant, for a preconceived idea of what the child should be disclosing;

(c) repeated leading questions;

(d) multiple interviews;

(e) incessant questioning;

(f) vilification of defendant;

(g) ongoing contact with peers and references to their statements;

(h) use of threats, bribes and cajoling; and

(i) failure to videotape or otherwise document the initial interview sessions.

See Michaels, at 1377. Com. v. Callahan, 1998 WL 808850 *5 (Mass.Super. 1998).

New Jersey v. Margaret Kelly Michaels:
Opinion: Introduction
Opinion: Factual Background
Opinion: Section I
Opinion: Section II
Opinion: Section III
Opinion: Section IV
Opinion: Section V
Opinion: Section VI
Opinion: Section VII